GBCA presents its 2000th Green Star certification

A 12-storey commercial building at 105 Phillip Street, Parramatta has become the 2000th project to achieve Green Star certification, with Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Chief Executive Officer Romilly Madew presenting a Green Star plaque to NSW Minister for Education Rob Stokes.

Designed by Bates Smart and constructed by Built, Charter Hall’s commercial development achieved 6 Star – Green Star – Office As Built v3, making it Paramatta’s first 6 Star Green Star office and among the top performing sustainable commercial buildings in Australia.

It joins other iconic Australian buildings and precincts that have achieved Green Star certification, including the Sydney Opera House, Barangaroo, University of Melbourne and Curtin University, Sydney Airport and the Melbourne Convention Centre.

Launched in 2003, Green Star is the only national, voluntary and independently certified rating system for buildings and communities. Madew said it continues to evolve with the industry and global trends, and described its 2000th certification as a “milestone” that highlights Green Star’s sustained momentum, driven by increasing demand for high-performance buildings.

“Green Star certification is transforming the way our built environment is designed, constructed and operated, and is increasingly being sought by climate-conscious investors, becoming a critical distinguishing factor between developments.

“Through Green Star, GBCA has helped Australian property companies retain the mantle of global green building leadership for eight years, as measured by GRESB. The international benchmark for environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of real assets.”

A key focus for the next iteration of Green Star, captured within the Future Focus project, is the achievement of productivity gains and improved health and wellbeing outcomes for communities, according to Madew.

On average, Green Star certified buildings produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, 66% less electricity and 51% less potable water than average Australian buildings. Green Star As Built certified buildings also recycle around 96% of their construction and demolition waste.

GBCA believes the certification will continue to be influential in helping reduce Australia’s carbon emissions and reach the targets set out by the Paris Agreement.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Alija