Benchmark Study on Green Buildings - Royal Architectural Institute ...

offices of AusIndustry will ensure that businesses outside of major metropolitan areas can
access the program as well. The COMET Program can provide small Australian green
technology or green building companies the advice and support they need to properly
position their products in the marketplace to experience maximum exposure.
Innovation Investment Fund (IIF):
The Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) is a Venture capital program that invests in nine
private sector venture capital funds to assist small companies in the early stages of
development to commercialize the outcomes of Australia’s strong research and
development capability. Funded by the Australian Government, the IIF is an important
initiative supporting the cutting-edge work of Australia’s small businesses. Another
innovation support program from the Government of Australia is the Industry
Cooperative Innovation Program (ICIP), which is a $25 million commitment announced
in ‘From Strength to Strength: the Coalition’s Policy for Australian Industry’ on October
8 2004. The Program has funding until 2011 and aims to encourage business-to-business
cooperation on innovation projects within a sector that enhances the productivity, growth
and international competitiveness of Australian industries.
Pooled Development Funds (PDF) Program:
The Pooled Development Funds (PDF) Program, established in 1992, encourages
investment in pooled development funds (PDFs) which in turn provide funds that
specialist managers invest in eligible Australian SMEs with total assets of not more than
$50 million. Patient equity capital, including venture capital is an important source of
funding for innovative, fast-growing Australian companies, especially for those
experiencing difficulties in accessing equity capital for early stage development and
expansion. The Government announced in the 2006-07 Budget that the PDF program will
be closed to new registrations after 31 December 2006. The PDF program will be
progressively replaced by a new initiative - the early stage venture capital limited
partnership (ESVCLP) Program, also announced in the Budget.
North Lakes eco-friendly town:
In 1999, an agreement was signed between CSIRO and residential developers to build a
new $2.2 billion eco-friendly town for 25,000 people at North Lakes near Brisbane.
North Lakes is to be created on a 1,000-hectare site adjacent to the Bruce Highway at
Pine Rivers. Approximately 8,500 new homes, a major town centre, a business park, and
supporting community services are proposed to be built over a 15-to-20 year period. The
urban design is intended to provide a new model for subtropical housing in Australia and
demonstrate leading innovations in the housing industry.
B-6 United Kingdom:
Ecotricity:
The green building movement has just recently reached the UK, which may explain why
they do not yet have a GBC. However, the UK has numerous green building programs
and strategies worth noting. Ecotricity is a UK electricity company dedicated to changing
the way electricity is made. Since 1996, Ecotricity has been building wind turbines and
selling clean electricity across the UK. They take the money consumers spend on
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