In a bid to live up to its name, the Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to pick up Green Star accreditation for all its buildings. The agency is retrofitting its existing stock, as well as creating energy efficient worksites.
An EPA regional office, located in the south-east Queensland town of Toowoomba, is the latest facility to undergo a sustainable overhaul.
“As well as reducing our carbon footprint we were looking to create a healthy and sustainable work environment for our employees,” Chris Hill, ERA regional manager said.
Previously, staff were split between two levels of the building, there was no disabled access and there was a “slightly gloomy” atmosphere due to poor lighting, Hill said.
The agency used Solatube Daylighting System to pull natural light into the space and managed to reduce its reliance on artificial lighting by 40 per cent.
The EPA is noticing “increased interest” from potential employees, Terry Harper, executive director of corporate sustainability for the EPA said. “It’s generally a tight labour market out there, so if being proactive in this area can help us be seen as an employer of choice, it will enhance our prospects of attracting and retaining suitably qualified employees that share our values.”
