Sustainable Builders Yak

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Episode Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Simon Croft, Chief Executive of Industry and Policy at the Housing Industry Association (HIA), to explore the current state of Australia's housing market. Simon shares his extensive experience in construction, policy, and building, delving into the pressing challenges of housing affordability and supply shortages. With the government targeting the construction of 1.2 million homes in the next five years, Simon discusses the obstacles in meeting these ambitious goals, particularly the need for long-term planning and a sustainable workforce. He also highlights the regional housing boom and how millennials are driving the shift away from metropolitan areas in search of more affordable living options.
As we dive deeper into the construction industry, Simon explains the impact of escalating construction costs and the industry's need for stabilization. With a focus on government policies, regional housing development, and industry workforce solutions, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of what it will take to meet Australia's housing demands and build a sustainable future for all.
Episode Covers:
The challenges of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years
Regional housing growth driven by millennials and remote work trends
The impact of construction costs and the ongoing need for industry stabilization
The importance of long-term planning for Australia’s housing strategy
Diverse solutions required for varying regional housing needs
Episode Highlights:
Insights on Australia's housing shortage and supply chain issues
The government’s role in addressing construction workforce gaps
Navigating policy changes and innovative solutions to meet housing targets
How regional areas are shaping the future of housing development
Perfect For:
Builders and tradespeople
Policy makers and industry advocates
Anyone interested in the future of housing and construction in Australia
This episode offers a detailed exploration of the challenges facing Australia's housing market and the steps necessary to overcome them. Tune in for a candid conversation about the future of housing affordability, supply, and the workforce, and how these factors intersect with broader policy and sustainability goals.

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In this episode:
We sit down with Saul Griffith to explore his journey from metallurgy to MIT, Silicon Valley, and now leading work in policy, engineering, and sustainability. Saul shares insights on electrification, zero-emissions infrastructure, and how tradespeople are central to building a clean energy future. We also dive into innovative ideas for long-lasting homes, smarter energy markets, and practical ways Australians can trade and generate electricity.
Episode Covers:
Electrification and the role of tradespeople in a zero-emissions future
Reforming the electricity market to empower households
Improving the National Construction Code and building “thousand-year homes”
Sustainable construction materials: bricks, timber, and hybrid approaches
Cost savings, public health, and community benefits of clean energy
Challenges and opportunities in clean tech supply chains and domestic manufacturing
Saul’s productivity rituals and a sneak peek at his upcoming book
Episode Highlights:
Saul criticizes star ratings for homes and proposes energy efficiency measured in kilowatt hours per square meter per person
Discussion on Australians trading solar power peer-to-peer
Vision for long-lasting, durable, zero-emission homes
Fun rapid-fire questions: favorite sports teams, snacks, and music preferences
Insights into upcoming book and Substack updates
Perfect for:
Sustainability enthusiasts and clean energy advocates
Tradespeople and engineers interested in electrification
Policy makers and innovators in energy and infrastructure
Anyone curious about practical solutions for a zero-emission future

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In this episode, Jennifer Snyders, President of the Bamboo Society of Australia, shares her journey from indifference to advocacy for bamboo in sustainable construction, environmental restoration, and carbon reduction. Born into a bamboo legacy—her father founded House of Bamboo in 1972—Jennifer explains how this fast-growing, renewable material can transform Australia’s building landscape.
Simon Clark highlights bamboo as a potential solution to construction supply challenges, noting its impressive CO₂ sequestration, rapid growth, and soil remediation. Jennifer also explores the development of structural bamboo in Australia, showing how engineered bamboo (CLB/LVB) could be a faster, sustainable, termite-resistant alternative to traditional timber.
Growing and Using Bamboo in Australia:
Bamboo seeds rarely (once every 100–150 years); propagation is usually through cuttings.
Species thrive in diverse climates—from snow to temperate cities like Melbourne.
Clumping bamboo prevents uncontrolled spreading.
Bamboo is ideal for screens, landscaping, carbon offset, and building materials.
The Bamboo Society (bamboo.org.au) lists growers and suppliers nationwide.
Barriers to Adoption:
Outdated perceptions, regulatory gaps, and misconceptions about bamboo as “non-structural” are slowing its uptake. Jennifer emphasizes engineered bamboo, performance-based standards, and carbon reduction targets to drive mainstream adoption.
Episode Highlights:
 From bamboo newbie to advocate for sustainable building
Carbon storage, oxygen boost, and soil/water remediation benefits
Fast-growing, termite-resistant structural bamboo for construction
Works with timber machinery and plantations—collaboration potential
Tackling perception, scaling, and regulatory hurdles
Bamboo is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for construction, landscaping, and environmental restoration. Jennifer’s insights reveal its untapped potential and how performance-based engineering could make bamboo a mainstream building material in Australia.
Brought to you by:
Thermotek (Platinum sponsor), Binq and Live Life Build (Gold sponsors)

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In this episode, Simon Clark and Brian Guinan chat with Emma Sutcliffe, Director of EV Firesafe, about the realities of electric vehicle (EV) fire safety. Emma shares how losing her plug-in hybrid in a 2018 bushfire inspired her mission to protect emergency responders, educate the public, and advance EV safety research in Australia.
Dive behind the scenes of EV fire testing, from controlled burns in Perth to large-scale experiments with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the U.S. Emma explains EV battery longevity, recycling, and repurposing, and reveals insights from a Tesla Model Y crash investigation. She also highlights the need for more Australian-based EV battery recycling facilities.
The episode also explores Defence electrification projects, including the world-first electric Bushmaster armored vehicle, and wraps up with a fun rapid-fire round where Emma shares her favorite home design tips, music, and Tim Tam hacks.
Episode Covers:
Expert insights into EV fire safety and battery testing
Behind-the-scenes look at EV battery recycling and repurposing
Tesla Model Y crash investigation and lessons learned
Electrification of the Bushmaster armored vehicle in Australia
Episode Highlights:
How a bushfire inspired Emma’s mission for EV fire safety
Controlled burns in Perth and full-scale EV tests in the U.S.
Challenges of end-of-life EV batteries and recycling solutions
World-first electric Bushmaster and Defence innovation
Rapid-fire fun: passive solar homes, Celtic music, and Tim Tams
Perfect for EV owners, first responders, sustainability advocates, and Australian innovation enthusiasts, this episode covers everything you need to know about EV safety, battery management, and future-proofing our electric mobility.
Brought you by: Weathertex (Platinum Sponsor), Evitat and Hydrowood ( Gold Sponsors)

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In Episode 49 of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Joel Seagren, National Mechanical Ventilation Engineer at Fantech, to unpack the critical (and often overlooked) role of ventilation in high-performance homes.
With a background in mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and a Master’s in building sustainability, Joel brings decades of experience to this conversation — from consulting on daylight modeling in the early 2000s to becoming a NatHERS assessor and championing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) in Australian homes.
This episode covers:
The science of air tightness, energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air
Why 6 air changes per hour is a benchmark for installing HRVs
The difference between NatHERS and Passive House modeling
The limitations of relying on window ventilation in Australia’s energy code
The evolving National Construction Code (NCC) requirements around mechanical ventilation
The need for a standardized testing method in high-performance construction
New Zealand modeling data showing the energy-saving benefits of HRVs
Whether you're a builder, architect, or energy consultant, this is a must-listen if you're working on airtight, efficient, and healthy homes in the Australian climate.
🧭 Episode Highlights:
Joel’s engineering background and sustainability journey
The evolution of ventilation standards in Australia
HRVs, airtightness, and indoor air quality explained
Comparing NatHERS vs Passive House modeling systems
Industry push for testing standards and updated building codes
Moisture control, filtration, and the future of ventilation
🎙️ Brought to you by:
Hygge Windows
Webber Insurance
NeXTimber