This project analysed the role of building and planning policy and regulations in delivering sustainable buildings and cities. It reviews policy and best practice, analyses VCAT data and cases, and draws on focus group results.

This report provides evidence regarding potential financial and health implications of electricity pricing and 'price signal' messaging for heat vulnerable households.

This report summarises the findings from Stage 1 of the Future Grid Homes project, which involved in-depth and at-home interviews with 51 Australian households in five National Energy Market (NEM) states and territories (VIC, SA, NSW, ACT and QLD).

Across the world, the role and functionality of urban water utilities has evolved over time, in response to urban challenges. The role of the urban water sector in each region has generally begun with water supply, and then been followed by sewerage, drainage, environmental protection, and then water security efforts through the collection of alternative water sources, such as desalination and recycled water. Typically these services have been delivered through networks of underground pipes, and publicly inaccessible treatment facilities.

This report outlines deep concerns with planning and governance for the proposed West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) and, by extension, with the wider context for transport planning in Victoria.

A major urban greening initiative across six local councils has dramatically reshaped western Melbourne’s tree cover, making the area more liveable and cooler, this RMIT University study has found.

Representing the culmination of five years of research, this report examines seven domains of a city’s liveability that also promote the health and wellbeing of Australians – walkability, public transport, public open spaces, housing affordability, employment and the food and alcohol environments.

This trial of smart home control in 46 households shows limits to use for managing home energy bills and electricity demand.

Australian households have faced sharp increases in energy prices over the past decade. Household water bills have also increased. Higher numbers of households are experiencing electricity and/or gas disconnections due to non-payment of bills and joining energy retailer hardship programs to remain connected. As a result, research and energy policy has focused on energy retailer hardship practices, household experiences of hardship programs and disconnection, and ways to keep households connected.

In the context of energy reforms to address peak electricity demand in Australia, this briefing paper provides a critical review of cost-reflective electricity pricing policy and the potential impacts of heatwaves and other extreme heat events in vulnerable households.