Property developer Lend Lease has topped the table of the number of projects and area of floor space which have Green Star ratings, according to 2013 statistics from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
With the green building industry in Australia continuing to grow, more than 100 Green Star projects have been certified this year with 134 projects registered.
Romilly Madew, CEO of the GBCA, says, “We now have 641 Green Star certified projects across every state and territory, with a further 486 projects registered to achieve ratings.
“We are particularly proud of the fact that 20% of Australia’s office space is now Green Star certified – a phenomenal achievement in just ten years,” Madew says.
Lend Lease have gained Green Star ratings on a total of 122,000sqm of floor space in six new projects, including the world’s largest timber residential tower, Forté in Melbourne.
The company also achieved the first Green Star – Communities registration this year for Barangaroo South in Sydney.
Lend Lease was an early adopter of Green Star and now has 536,129sqm of Green Star certified space, with a further 776,990sqm registered.
Leighton Properties also gains recognition with registering the most Green Star projects in 2013 – seven projects in total.
"The Leighton Group has shown a long-term commitment to Green Star, and has worked on 31 Green Star projects. Leighton is currently developing 140,000 square metres of Green Star-rated sustainable commercial office space, with another 270,000 square metres planned," Madew explains.
With many players involved in the Green Star process, it is the consultant who brings everyone together. This year the most active consultant was WSP, with 39 Green Star projects at various stages of development. AECOM worked on the most certified projects with 16 in total.
While Cundall kicked off the most new projects during 2013, managing 14 new Green Star projects that were registered throughout the year.
"In our fast-paced industry, Cundall's achievement reminds us that we must continue to 'push the envelope' to stay ahead of the competition and to achieve our vision for a sustainable built environment," Madew says.
However, this year governments in Victoria – both state and local – led the nation. Six government projects, including four Victorian Government buildings, were certified this year, along with the first Green Star-rated library in the City of Melton. Victoria also registered the most government projects – nine in total.
"It should be no surprise, then, that government leadership has generated industry confidence and commitment to green building, with Victoria certifying the most projects in 2013, with 26. We congratulate the Victorian Government, as well as the local government leaders in Melton, Greater Dandenong and Greater Geelong for their outstanding efforts in 2013," Madew concludes.
