Sustainable Strata Living: How your owners corporation can cut energy & water use

Introduction

As more people live in strata-titled buildings across NSW, sustainability is becoming a key concern — not just for the planet, but for your pocket. A collective building can benefit significantly when residents and committees adopt environmentally friendly practices.

In this guide we explore how your Owners Corporation and residents can work together to reduce energy and water consumption without compromising comfort or lifestyle.

Why sustainability matters in strata schemes

• Shared services and facilities (e.g. lifts, lighting, common-area air conditioning, pool/spa, hot water systems) — if left unchecked — can make strata levies and utility costs soar.

  
  

• Investing in efficiency now protects asset value, appeals to environmentally conscious buyers/tenants, and reduces long-term maintenance costs.

  
  

• NSW residents are increasingly aware and supportive of green living — smart upgrades add value to your property.

• Legal obligation: As of the 2025 reforms to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), every Annual General Meeting (AGM) of an Owners Corporation must now include an agenda item to consider environmental sustainability — including a review of common-property energy and water consumption and expenditure.

  
  

• Also importantly: When preparing or reviewing their long-term capital plan (capital works fund), the Owners Corporation must now consider the costs of “sustainability infrastructure” (e.g. solar panels, efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, EV charging) as potential works — meaning sustainability is now woven into long-term building upkeep and planning.

Practical steps for sustainable strata living

1. Conduct an energy/water audit

   Ask your strata manager or committee to commission an audit of common-area energy and water usage. Identify high-consumption areas (e.g. hot-water heating, lighting, pumps, HVAC) and leaks or inefficient plumbing.

   
   

2. Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and appliances in common-areas

   Replace old incandescent or halogen lights with LEDs, install motion sensors or timers in corridors/parking to avoid wasted electricity, and replace ageing pool/spa pumps with energy-efficient models.

   
   

3. Install water-saving fixtures & smart plumbing

   Consider low-flow showerheads/taps in shared amenities, dual-flush toilets, or water-efficient landscaping. If your building has communal gardens, use drought-tolerant plants and install drip irrigation systems.

   
   

4. Use renewable energy or bulk contracts where possible

   For buildings with roof space or common areas that allow — explore solar panels or bulk green-energy plans for common-area electricity. This reduces both carbon footprint and long-term electricity costs.

   
   

5. Engage owners/residents: green living needs a community mindset

   Encourage everyone to turn off lights and equipment when not in use, avoid excessive use of shared services, report leaks or maintenance issues promptly, and consider forming a “green committee” within the Owners Corporation to champion sustainable initiatives.

   
   

6. Plan ahead: include sustainability in your maintenance/upgrade plan

   Next time you schedule maintenance (e.g. repainting, upgrading hot water, HVAC servicing), build in sustainability upgrades — e.g. energy-efficient HVAC, solar hot water, better insulation — rather than patching over existing inefficient systems.

Common misconceptions — and the real deal

• “Sustainability is expensive” — While some upgrades have upfront costs, many (like LED conversion, water-saving fixtures) pay for themselves quickly via reduced bills.

  
  

• “Only individual lots can save energy” — Even common areas consume substantial energy; collective action delivers greater savings for everyone.

  
  

• “It’ll never pay off” — Over time, lower energy and maintenance costs, higher property appeal, and possibly lower levies make sustainability a smart financial decision as well as an ethical one.

  
  

Conclusion

Sustainable living in strata doesn’t need to be complicated or disruptive. Thanks to changes in NSW legislation, strata committees and Owners Corporations are now required to consider environmental sustainability — not as an optional extra, but as a core part of annual planning and long-term capital works.

With a few smart upgrades — and some cooperation from your Owners Corporation and neighbours — you can reduce environmental impact, lower bills, and increase appeal for current and future residents. If your building hasn’t yet added a sustainability agenda item to the next AGM, now’s a good time to raise it.