The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has called upon the returned
Baird Government to broaden NSW’s focus on sustainability and ensure a better
future for the community.
Congratulating Premier Mike Baird and his team on their re-election, GBCA’s
Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew said that they looked forward to working
collaboratively to secure NSW’s future as a ‘sustainable state’.
According to Madew, the Baird Government in its previous term demonstrated
its commitment to more sustainable buildings and communities, encouraging
renewable energy through a range of policies and programs, such as improving
the Energy Savings Scheme and introducing the Government Resource Efficiency
Program.
GBCA now hopes to see the Baird Government show a commitment to achieving Green Star ratings for all types of
government buildings, including schools and healthcare facilities.
Madew comments that NSW has 199 of the 840 Green Star certified
projects around Australia, coming in second only to Victoria. However, not one
of these Green Star-certified buildings in NSW is a state government building.
GBCA is particularly keen
for Urban Growth NSW to embrace the use of Green Star – Communities for urban renewal
and urban development projects.
Madew noted that the Baird Government can build further on the
sustainability platform to meet economic, social and environmental priorities,
saving money, future-proofing assets, improving the productivity, health and
wellbeing of workers, and building better communities.
Madew adds that embracing sustainable development can secure a better
future for everyone in the state.
