Better Sydney

Better Sydney works with organisations of all sizes to help them work better.

What do we mean by better?

Better education around environmental, social and economic sustainability

Better training and upskilling to turn policies into practical actions

Better collaboration, risk mitigation and resilience for staff, clients, peers, suppliers and sub-contractors

Better analysis, assessment, benchmarking, feedback, reporting and verification

Our expertise

Better Sydney provides training, expertise, skills and education around:

PROPERTY, CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

With over 25 years of international experience, including developing and driving the adoption of the Green Star rating system, Your Home sustainability guide, Modern Slavery Supplier Platform, and supplier collaboration initiatives

ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

With in-depth understanding of sustainability drivers and metrics through work with the Green Building Council of Australia, WorldGBC, ASBEC, governments and industry bodies

SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAINS

With experience in purchasing, procurement and supply chain challenges, establishing and leading Australia’s Supply Chain Sustainability School, and project-managing the Property Council of Australia's Supplier Platform

HUMAN RIGHTS AND MODERN SLAVERY ISSUES

With strengths and networks across issues from emerging legislation to current best practice, advising to federal, state and local governments on social sustainability, human rights and modern slavery

Our services

We leverage a network of experts to raise awareness, inspire action and help your business move towards a more sustainable future.

EDUCATION AND LEARNING RESOURCES

Development of content that raises awareness of sustainable procurement and ethical supply chain issues, including relevant case studies, actions and measurable outcomes, following Universal Design for Learning principles.

POLICY CREATION, BENCHMARKING AND VERIFICATION

Using knowledge of best practice to craft appropriate policies, guidelines, and measurement frameworks. Ensuring recommendations are fit for purpose through holistic analysis, trend forecasting and creative skills.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Designing and delivering in-person and online training that embeds sustainability values at an organisational level, with relevant narratives and curated content.

FACILITATION, MODERATION AND PRESENTATION

Experience in leading groups, workshops and discussions for local and global businesses, all levels of government, industry collaborations and community groups.

Robin Mellon

Founder and CEO

G’day, I’m Robin Mellon. Sustainability educator, devoted green-thumb, loyal Sydney Swans fan and father to two young boys.

Buildings have a huge effect on our lives; at home, at work, and at play. They also have massive impacts on the environment and the economy; some positive but many negative.

So how can we do things better?

I created Better Sydney with the aim of leaving this planet in a better place than I found it. For me, that means helping people, organisations and communities to operate in a way that’s sustainable for the earth, our society and the economy.

Greater transparency, diversity and sustainability are the future of business. I bring my passion for horticulture, my love of the environment, and my qualifications in real estate, finance and development to help you join the growing movement of businesses who want to make the world not just ‘a little less bad’, but actively ‘better’.

Robin Mellon is a leading expert on property, supply chains and sustainability in the built environment.

After years with private sector businesses, Robin worked with the Green Building Council of Australia from 2007-2015 to drive the adoption of the Green Star rating system. As Chief Operating Officer, his role involved spearheading the GBCA’s advocacy and international work, as well as leading education, events, marketing and communications teams.

Robin sat on the World Green Building Council’s Policy Task Force, chairing its Asia Pacific Network. He collaborated with Austrade over many years to showcase Australian green building capabilities around the world, and mentored a number of countries through the process of establishing their own green building councils.

From 2016-2019, Robin was Chief Executive Officer of Australia's Supply Chain Sustainability School. The School is an industry-led initiative that provides free learning resources to improve supply chains in the property, construction and infrastructure sectors.

Currently, Robin is CEO of Better Sydney, as well as NSW Program Manager for Better Building Finance, working with NSW councils to help them enable and run their Building Upgrade Finance programs; enabling this legislation makes it easy for businesses to upgrade buildings to be more sustainable.

Judging panels

NSW Green Globe Awards

Architecture and Design Awards

Green Star ‘Innovation’ Panel

Australasian Green Gown Awards

Memberships

The Australian Government's first Modern Slavery Advisory Committee

Waverley Council's Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee

Fellow of Australia’s Supply Chain Sustainability School

Member of the UN Global Compact Network Australia

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Success stories

Better Sydney works with businesses that range in size from small family firms to large multinationals.

We also work with government organisations, not-for-profit and community enterprises. Our experience spans the food and beverage, infrastructure, telecommunications, manufacturing, property and construction industries.

As part of our advisory work, Better Sydney develops content to educate and raise awareness. You can see examples of some recent projects below, including resources, modules and templates.

Better Sydney worked with Edge Environment to develop free online sustainability modules on a range of topics.

Better Sydney worked with the City of Sydney to develop free online sustainability modules aimed at reducing food waste from cafes, restaurants and venues.

Better Sydney worked with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and industry leaders to develop videos, posters and resources to educate supply chains and human rights and modern slavery issue.

Better Sydney worked with the Property Council of Australia to project manage and lead the Modern Slavery Working Group towards greater collaboration.

Media and events

Robin is an accomplished presenter, educator and media commentator. His articles cover topics such as healthy and efficient buildings, as well as better, more sustainable supply chains. He is also regularly requested to present keynotes, MC events and host industry webinars.