According to the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Green Star certifications continue to climb in Queensland despite the recent challenges faced by the state’s building industry.
“We know the Queensland property and construction sector is experiencing challenging times, and another cost-of-living budget is causing a tightening of belt buckles. However industry is demonstrating that Green Star-rated buildings make smart economic sense,” said the GBCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Robin Mellon.
Mr Mellon believes industry members in Queensland are recognising the benefits in future-proofing their assets against rising utility prices, the effects of a changing climate and challenging economic circumstances.
“Thirty per cent of Brisbane’s CBD office space is Green Star-certified, compared with the national average of 20 per cent. Of the 582 Green Star projects around Australia, 126 are in Queensland,” he explained.
Queensland also boasts a range of ‘firsts’ – including the first Green Star retail, industrial and education facilities in the country.
“Committing to more sustainable buildings is not about ‘green tape’. It is about boosting the economy, increasing green skills and jobs and making healthier, more productive and more efficient places to live, work and learn,” said Mr Mellon.
“Rather than support ‘development at any cost’, the GBCA would like to see Queensland adopt policies that encourage and promote efficient and sustainable development.”
“The Queensland Government has shown that it understands the many benefits of a sustainable built environment and its tenancy of the Green Star-registered 1 William Street development in Brisbane, for example, will lead to healthier, more productive staff, lower operational costs and will demonstrate its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and resource use.”
“We look forward to seeing more policies and actions that recognise how environmentally and occupant- friendly buildings can deliver significant benefits to the economy – as well as the bottom line,” concluded Mr Mellon.
