Property group Australand has signed on as the principal
sponsor of the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) Green Star –
Performance rating tool.
Green Star – Performance applies to existing buildings of
many types. Since the rating focuses on operational performance, building
upgrades may be required over time to achieve higher ratings.
According to GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew, the
principal sponsorship status emphasises the company’s commitment to sustainable
building practices.
“We are delighted to have Australand’s support for Green
Star – Performance, which we believe will revolutionise Australia’s property
and construction industry.
“Australand’s expertise and experience will be essential as
we develop an holistic rating tool with environmental benchmarks for all types
of buildings in operation,” Madew says.
Sean McMahon, Australand’s executive general manager –
commercial and industrial, said:
“As a major diversified property group, we believe the tool
will be of fundamental importance to the property industry in highlighting
holistic environmental operational performance for all building types,” McMahon
says.
“Closing the gap between Green Star Design and As Built is
essential for the industry to ensure that green designs are translating into
better performing buildings for owners, users and the community.
Madew adds: "Green Star has had a profound impact on
the sustainability of new buildings in Australia. The Green Star - Performance
tool will encourage building owners to monitor and improve the ongoing
performance of their existing buildings."
“Green Star – Performance will provide best practice
benchmarks that can be used to set targets to increase energy and water
efficiency, reduce waste and improve factors that influence productivity,
health and learning, such as indoor environment quality.
“The US Green Building Council’s rating tool for Existing
Buildings’ Operations and Maintenance, LEEDEBOM, has driven more certifications
in one year than all the other LEED tools have done in their history. We expect
Green Star – Performance to have the same impact in Australia, and are thrilled
to be working with Australand on this revolutionary project,” Madew concludes.
Testing of the draft Green Star – Performance rating tool
will commence in early 2012. For more information, visit: http://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-performance/
