The $40-million Ponds Shopping Centre in north-western Sydney has taken home the Yardi Award for Best Shopping Centre. The award was received as part of the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The Ponds Shopping Centre – completed in 2015 by Frasers Property – is a relatively small development, containing 25 stores alongside cafes and restaurants. Sustainability was a huge focus of the design, with the result of a recent lifecycle assessment finding that the carbon footprint of The Ponds is 34 per cent less than that of similarly-sized developments.
“The Ponds highlights the sustainable outcomes that can be achieved in the retail sector and sets a new benchmark,” says the Property Council chief executive, Ken Morrison. “The judges were very impressed by Frasers Property Australia’s commitment to sustainability – from best-practice waste segregation to cycle facilities that encourage people to embrace active travel.”
The centre has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating, with a variety of sustainability measures proving effective at reducing both environmental impact and running cost.
A rooftop solar system was installed as part of the development, and high-efficiency LED lighting was chosen for its minimal electrical wastage. A rainwater collection system is used to collect and recycle water throughout the building.
The thermal mass of the design ensures the internal temperature is kept at comfortable temperatures, with natural ventilation used for fresh air intake.
Material choice was another strong component of the sustainability measures undertaken. Natural timber and recycled content with low embodied emissions were selected for use throughout.
According to Matthew Harris, the NSW managing director of RLB, the sustainability measures and technology used at The Ponds Shopping Centre saves an approximate total of $45,000 per year in running costs.
