Better Sydney

We provide training, enable collaboration, and support best practice around sustainable supply chains, human rights and modern slavery solutions to help you work better.

What do we mean by better?

Better education around environmental, social and economic sustainability in line with the UN SDGs

Better training and upskilling to turn policies and commitments into practical actions that focus on solutions

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

Better analysis, assessment, benchmarking, feedback, policies, statements, 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, the UN SDGs, and global metrics through work with the Green Building Council of Australia, WorldGBC, ASBEC, governments, NGOs and leading industry bodies across Australia

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 and similar initiatives

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, and holistic sustainability solutions

Our services

We leverage years of experience and a network of experts to raise awareness, inspire action and develop solutions to move your organisation towards a more sustainable future.

EDUCATION & 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.

ASSESSMENT & BENCHMARKING OF POLICIES AND STATEMENTS

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

TAILORED TRAINING & FEEDBACK ON STATEMENTS

Designing and delivering in-person and online training with tailored content to embed sustainability values at an organisational level, with reviews of Modern Slavery Statements.

FACILITATION, MODERATION & PRESENTATION

Experience in being 'Master of Ceremonies', and leading groups, workshops and discussions for local and global businesses, all levels of government, industry collaborations and communities.

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, construction, 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 and sustainable development 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, Project Manager for the Property Council of Australia's Human Rights and Modern Slavery Working Group, one of the International WELL Building Community Advisory, a member of the Waverley Council Sustainability Expert Advisory Panel, and a Board Member of the UN Global Compact Network Australia.

Better Sydney currently supports eleven different sector collaborations, including the Australian Legal Sector Alliance, WSAA, AAAA and EPSA to engage and develop sectors towards long-term improvement.

Judging panels

Chair of Judging and MC for Australia's Banksia Awards

Chair of Judging and MC for
NSW Sustainability Awards

Communications Alliance ACOMMS Awards Judge

Participation

Waverley Council Sustainability Expert Advisory Panel

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Participant with the UN Global Compact Network Australia

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 Impact to develop online sustainability modules on topics from Food Waste to Modern Slavery, and from Sustainable Procurement to Sustainability Strategy.

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 to develop videos, posters and resources to educate supply chains on human rights and modern slavery issues.

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

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.