A green roof has a top layer of plants growing in a lightweight medium on top of an impermeable barrier.Benefits include:1. Protect the building against the elements.2. Cut energy costs for heating and cooling due to thermal insulation and mass.3. Prevent rainwater runoff hitting the stormwater drains.4. Absorb CO2.5. Reduce the "urban heat island" effect.6. Promote biodiversity by providing habitat for insects and birds. 7. Improve air quality.Maintenance is similar to the upkeep of a lawn and/or garden. Green roofs can be retrofitted, although it's more cost-effective to install them during construction.

Traditional construction is slow and labour-intensive. That's a problem when you have an undersupply of housing and skills.The fast REZICAST system offers precast concrete panels that can be used in place of timber trusses and brick walls. Lock-up is achievable in as little as 10 days.The panels offer unsurpassed structural strength, superior energy and sound insulation, less site rubbish and water usage.  Manufactured locally then trucked to site, they are craned into place with on-ground help from labourers. By minimising the time carpenters and bricklayers would otherwise spend at height, there are also WHS benefits.More information: https://rezicastsystems.com/

Owners corporations of large apartments have avoided reporting issues said David Chandler NSW Building Commissioner, because of fears for their apartments’ reputation. But by the time they have reached a dead end in the courts, “they’ve run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, they’ve had no defects repaired, and because of the passage of time the developer has wound up their company”. “The message has got to be: ‘Tell us about them earlier.’” In December, last year the NSW state government removed Chandler’s department from within NSW Fair Trading and established it as a standalone agency, Building Commission NSW with many more staff to enforce standards. https://www.smh.com.

Many of Australia's iconic "three storey walk-up" unit blocks are old and in desperate need of modernisation. Without external capital, however, the renovation bill has to be funded by the unitholders via strata levies.At the same time, there are very few greenfield (or brownfield) residential development sites in our popular (and crowded) inner cities.  An innovative solution is to use airspace and literally go "up on roof".  Strata corporations can develop this space themselves (if they have the means), or sell the airspace to one of their members, or a property developer.It's a win/win.More information: https://www.buyairspace.com.au/

Homes.com.au's unique data crunching tech and AI discover what you want, even if you don't know how to ask, It is improving the home buying, renting and selling experience through innovation and technology.  At the same time, it is creating competition and fairness for real estate agents in a highly monopolistic environment.Win/win.For buyers/renters, the platform offers an intuitive and modern search experience guided by AI, one question at a time, so they can "stop searching ... and start finding!"For agents, the entry-level offers free listings forever with advanced features available via monthly subscription.Find out more: https://homes.com.au/

With Australia's soaring capital city property prices, the family home is a very valuable asset. Many Mums & Dads are open to helping their adult children onto the property ladder. The question is ... how?Raiding savings or superannuation puts a strain on retirement finances. Co-operty can help parents to access the equity in the family home without needing to downsize or take on debt.At the same time, Co-operty can help kidults to be accountable and build their credit file.  Best of all, the family home doesn't need to be sold or reverse mortgaged.More information: https://co-operty.com/