CSIRO acquires LJ Hooker's Centre for Liveability

Real estate isn’t an exact science but it can benefit from research and a good strategy.

Now the country’s leading scientific and industrial research hub is set to help deliver just that.

The CSIRO has acquired the Centre for Liveability Real Estate from LJ Hooker.

The Banksia Award-winning hub offers training, research, strategies and other information to the residential real estate industry to help real estate agents better promote sustainable properties.

Research partner Cecille Weldon said the centre also had the potential to revolutionise property marketing by addressing a key aspect of housing affordability: running costs. “It’s about delivering a better experience for buyers, sellers, tenants and investors by empowering them to find or create their ‘best home’: healthy, efficient, comfortable and connected to their community,” she said.

The Centre for Liveability Real Estate mirrors the CSIRO’s existing research in residential energy efficiency and aligns with the organisation’s broader work to address climate change.

CSIRO lead researcher Anthony Wright said the acquisition will see the organisation strengthen the program ahead of a national rollout.

“The CSIRO is interested in expanding the reach of the program to all regions across Australia,” Mr Wright said.

Mr Wright said the framework has worked well within the real estate industry and that it would be expanded to include online training and exclusive membership services for real estate agents.

CSIRO research director Dr Stephen White said the framework and related checklist presented a step-by-step change for sustainability in the real estate industry.

“CSIRO is at the forefront of research into our impact on the planet and what we can do to live more sustainably – through Liveability, it’s possible to identify the best ways to be eco-friendly and be comfortable in our homes,” he said. “The framework is aspirational and positive, targeting the desirable features of a house that a buyer or seller can transparently seek out, have a conversation about, and ultimately place value on.”

LJ Hooker founded and developed the centre, which chief executive L. Janusz Hooker said is now ready to be handed over to the CSIRO.

“LJ Hooker has continued its pioneering tradition founding Liveability, and again creating global best practices for the benefit of Australian real estate owners, renters and its service providers,” Mr Hooker said.

“After three years of research and development that culminated in a pilot program for over 300 homes, Liveability is now ready to be rolled out across the property industry by the CSIRO.”