Australand announces its commitment to achieving the minimum 5 Star Green Star – Design & As Built ratings for all its new industrial, commercial and retail projects. With this move, the leading Australian diversified property group Australand has once again raised the bar in the property industry.
Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Chief Executive Officer Romilly Madew observes that the long-term commitment to sustainability has positioned Australand as one of the most progressive and successful diversified property companies in Australia.
According to Ms Madew, Australand has spent many years identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency of its portfolio, testing ideas, developing capabilities and prioritising improvements in environmental outcomes. The company has now taken its sustainability commitment to the next level by achieving Green Star ratings for every new project.
She added that the Green Star rating will give building occupants the confidence that they are choosing productive and efficient workspaces.
Australand’s Green Star rating commitment complements its recent sustainability achievements including securing the first ever Green Star – Performance portfolio rating for 54 commercial and industrial properties in June. The company also achieved Australia’s first 6 Star Green Star Retail Centre Design v1 certified rating for The Ponds Shopping Centre in May.
Australand currently has Green Star certification for more than 1.3 million square metres of industrial, commercial and retail floor space across a total of 64 Green Star-rated buildings.
Sean McMahon, head of Australand’s Commercial & Industrial division explains that setting a minimum 5 Star Green Star benchmark for all of their new projects demonstrates the company’s leadership and reinforces their commitment to customers.
Australand is also ensuring that their customers understand the financial payback and benefits of futureproofing these assets against major rises in energy and water costs; an independently-verified Green Star rating is a good way to achieve this objective.
Australand General Manager, Sustainability Paolo Bevilacqua comments that their commitment to Green Star will provide their customers with better spaces and reduced operating costs while also reinforcing their determination to be a market leader in sustainability.
Australand will employ a range of initiatives to achieve Green Star ratings, including solar PV systems, LED lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, and improved glazing, insulation and air conditioning systems.
