Australand’s Keysborough Spec 1 development at the Key Industrial Park in Melbourne’s east has become the first industrial facility in Australia to register for a Green Star – Performance rating.

The 27,000sqm facility is targeting a 4 Star rating using the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) new Green Star – Performance rating tool, of which Australand was the principal sponsor.

The development will incorporate a host of initiatives, including naturally ventilated warehouse spaces, fixed shading to prevent glare, and laserlite sheets for high daylighting levels.

Passive design strategies were the basis of the design to minimise the need for artificial lighting and mechanical systems. For instance, highly efficient T5 lighting with dimmable ballasts couple with daylight and motion sensors to reduce lighting energy consumption by an expected 90 per cent.

Water and electricity will be metered and monitored for all major uses, while rainwater tanks will supply WCs and irrigation. Solar hot water and water efficient fixtures have also been installed to ensure sustainable water solutions.

In addition, the products specified have taken sustainability into consideration. The timber is sustainably sourced, and there was a 90 per cent reduction in common use PVC products. Low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives have also been utilised for a healthier indoor environment.

Completed in 2011, the development is the largest 5 Star Green Star industrial project in Australia, achieving a 5 Star Green Star – Industrial Design v1 rating in 2012. It was also the 500th certified Green Star project in Australia.

“Australand is demonstrating that industrial facilities can be more than tin sheds on concrete slabs,” says GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew.

“They can be productive, efficient and resilient buildings.”

Australand Sustainability Manager Paolo Bevilacqua agrees, saying the focus on sustainability has moved beyond the office sector, and that implementing sustainable solutions in the design, construction and operation of industrial facilities would enable firms to future-proof the value of the assets created, while reducing costs for customers.

“In the context of rising utility costs and increased awareness among customers of sustainability principles, the Green Star – Performance rating tool provides developers with even more impetus to pursue the most environmentally, socially and financially sustainable solutions,” says Bevilacqua.

The facility is currently leased to Tyres 4 U and Early Settler.

Images: www.australand.com.au

Geraldine Chua

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