Shooting for the stars

For many years it seemed environmental groups were the main drivers for change when it came to specifying environmentally sustainable alternatives. Today, however, it is industry itself that is driving the change, with governments also helping to promote the cause through incentive programmes and support for the Green Building Council of Australia.

Romilly Madew, CEO for the Green Building Council, says a key objective of the council to encourage the integration of green building initiatives into mainstream design, construction and building operation is now being met.

"Many new projects coming on stream reflect the building industry's willingness to adopt green building standards in order to achieve a high Green Star rating," Madew says. "Quad 4 at Sydney Olympic Park, developed and owned by The GPT Group and designed by Cox Richardson, is a prime example."

Madew says Quad 4 has achieved a 5-Star Green Star rating for office design, and a v2 Certified Rating, which represents Australian Excellence in sustainable office design. Sustainable features of the new building include extensive water reuse and on-site recycling, a passive chilled beam cooling system, low-VOC finishes, and the sub-metering of energy and water, which allows effective monitoring and management of electricity consumption. Glare is controlled through external shading devices. The waste management plan for the building diverted 80% of the construction waste from landfill, by either reusing or recycling the waste.

City Central Tower 1 in Adelaide, designed by Woods Bagot, is the first 5-Star Green Star certified project in South Australia. Developed by Caversham Property Developments and owned by Commonwealth Property Office Fund, the tower also utilises passive chilled beam cooling, low-VOC finishes and sub-metering for all major energy uses. Both projects utilise energy-efficient lighting systems, and provide 100% fresh air, with no re-circulated component.

Madew says the Green Building Council has released a number of new Green Star rating tools for existing office buildings, healthcare, education and shopping centre design.

For more information, contact the Green Building Council of Australia, PO Box Q78, QVB, NSW 1230, phone (02) 88252 8222, fax (02) 8252 8223. Email: info@gbcaus.org. Website: www.gbcaus.org.

Story by: Trendsideas