Freshwater Place Collaboration Earns Industry Recognition for A.G. Coombs Advisory

October 20, 2026

A collaborative partnership involving A.G. Coombs Advisory has been recognised as a finalist in the Collaborative Partnerships category of the 2026 FM Industry Awards for Excellence, acknowledging outstanding work to improve the performance and sustainability outcomes of Melbourne’s Freshwater Place residential precinct.

The finalist recognition is shared by Facility Management Victoria (FMV), A.G. Coombs Advisory and Evolv Building Technologies, whose combined expertise in facilities management, engineering and smart building technologies has delivered significant operational, environmental and financial benefits for residents and building stakeholders.

A collaborative model for building performance

The Freshwater Partnership works to identify practical opportunities to improve building performance without major capital expenditure.

Working as an integrated team, FMV, A.G. Coombs Advisory and evolvBT combined operational knowledge, engineering expertise and advanced controls capability to optimise the performance of existing building systems.

The nomination highlights a collaborative delivery model built on shared accountability, continuous improvement and a commitment to achieving long-term outcomes through operational excellence.

More than 150 optimisation initiatives delivered

The partnership has identified, prioritised and resolved more than 150 optimisation initiatives across the site, resulting in a 63% reduction in annual electricity consumption and a 70% reduction in annual gas consumption.

These improvements have avoided 5,558 tonnes of CO₂-e emissions and delivered annual utility cost savings of more than $690,000 for residents.

The work also contributed to Freshwater Place becoming the first residential building in Australia to achieve a 6-star NABERS Water rating, demonstrating the impact that collaboration and data-driven optimisation can have on building performance.

Industry recognition for shared success

The nomination recognises the contribution of all partners and the value of bringing facilities management, engineering and building controls specialists together to achieve shared objectives.

Within the partnership, A.G. Coombs Advisory has contributed engineering and optimisation expertise focused on improving energy efficiency, operational performance and resident outcomes.

Winners of the 2026 FM Industry Awards for Excellence will be announced in Melbourne on 27 November 2026. The awards recognise outstanding achievement and innovation across the facilities management profession. A.G. Coombs is an official sponsor of the 2026 awards program.

For more information about the 2026 FM Industry Awards for Excellence hosted by the Facility Management Association of Australia, visit the FM Industry Awards website.