Quality Green Group, a family-owned business with roots in Wollongong, has quietly built Australia’s highest-rated NABERS Energy portfolio, demonstrating that sustainability isn’t just for the skyscrapers – it’s smart business.
"We’ve used NABERS as a long-term tool to drive performance. We manage our buildings ourselves, monitor the data daily and care about outcomes. High NABERS ratings have helped us attract tenants, reduce outgoings and take a sustainable long-term view.”
Built from the ground up
Quality Green Group’s (QGG) story began nearly four decades ago when the founders of United Building Products – a Wollongong-based building supply business – chose to invest in their own premises. What started as a practical decision became a platform for growth.
In 2021, the founders sold United Building Products to focus on property investment, operating under the name Quality Green Group (QGG). Since then, they’ve concentrated fully on growing QGG’s reputation for excellence in Wollongong’s A-grade office market.
Today, QGG owns three of the four highest-rated NABERS Energy buildings in the Illawarra, including the region’s first 6-star NABERS Energy asset – the NSW SES headquarters at 93-99 Burelli Street.
Fast facts:
- Quality Green Group’s portfolio includes four office and four retail assets.
- QGG achieved Australia’s highest NABERS Sustainable Portfolio Index 2025 rating of 6.0 stars in the Office Energy category, topping the national benchmark for office energy efficiency.
- 93-99 Burelli Street achieved Illawarra’s first 6-star NABERS Energy rating in 2020.
- 280 Keira Street was the first building in Wollongong to achieve Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification.
Sustainability in action
Behind QGG’s success is a relentless focus on detail. The team manages every property directly, monitoring energy use, optimising systems and seeking smarter, cost-effective upgrades.
93-99 Burelli Street, a three-storey building constructed in 1988, had “good bones” when QGG purchased it in 2013. At the time it had a 2.5 stars NABERS Energy rating, and an annual electricity bill of $176,000.
“We completed over $7 million in capital upgrades in 2016 with a focus on energy and efficiency improvements. Efficient chillers, variable speed drives, fans and solar took a good building and made it great,” says Daniel Grozdanov, QGG’s Group Manager.
“Part of getting the NSW SES on board was a commitment to 5-star NABERS Energy. Our first rating after the upgrade came in at 5.5 stars. With careful management and attention to further adjustments, we got it to 6 stars.”
“With a significant investment, we’ve made a huge difference to the building’s energy consumption. Last financial year, the energy expense was $40,000.” Prior to the solar installation, this figure was around $65,000 per year, Daniel adds.
Powering down costs
280 Keira Street boasted a 5-star NABERS Energy rating when QGG purchased the property in 2014. “Our total electricity and gas costs in 2014 were $130,000 per year. For FY24, with a 6-star NABERS Energy rating, our bill was down to $69,000. That extra star has effectively halved the building’s energy bill.”
In 2024, QGG made its first acquisition outside the Illawarra region: two separate buildings at 1 Rivett Road in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde. The two buildings, totalling 10,915 sqm, were constructed in 2008 and already operating at 5-star NABERS Energy.
“We see that low-cost upgrades – like a new building management system and solar – can push it to a 6-star NABERS Energy rating. It’s much cheaper than building new and delivers real value for our tenants.” Upgrading existing buildings also saves embodied carbon emissions locked in during construction.
Government as a demand driver
A high NABERS rating is now a ticket to securing government tenants.
From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will only lease office spaces over 1,000 square metres if they achieve a minimum 5.5-star NABERS Energy rating. This requirement will extend to refurbishments from 1 July 2026. QGG’s commitment to 6-star NABERS Energy puts its buildings well ahead of the curve.
State government procurement policies and emissions targets are also encouraging building owners to focus on energy efficiency to remain competitive.
“NABERS is now an expectation. It’s not something tenants just ask about – it’s something they demand.”
A family’s focus on the future
As a family-owned business, QGG takes a long view. “We don’t have shareholders to please or quarterly reports to worry about,” Daniel says. “Yes, our buildings are energy efficient. But reducing emissions also makes financial sense. Our buildings cost less to run, attract great tenants, and deliver strong returns.”
With a hands-on approach, a clear commitment to sustainable growth, and a willingness to invest in what works, QGG is showing other regional building owners what’s possible.