Brisbane home to Australia's greenest building

The $44.5 million Zillmere Joint Contact Centre today received the highest Green Star design rating ever given to an office building in Australia.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten joined Police Minister and Member for Nudgee Neil Roberts to accept the 6 Star Green Star - Office Design v2 rating for the departmental-owned building from the Green Building Council of Australia.

"This score well exceeds any other project in Australia, making the Joint Contact Centre the country's most ecologically sustainable office building and comparable to any in the world," Mr Schwarten said.

"The planning, coordination and design of this project has been undertaken by the Department of Public Works in cooperation with Queensland Police.

"Construction is currently underway by Glenzeil Pty Ltd at Cambewarra Street, Zillmere.

"The completed project will provide 24 hour, seven day, contact centre facilities for Smart Service Queensland and Que ensland Police."

Mr Roberts said the Joint Contact Centre would provide additional services for the community to report non-urgent incidents through the Policelink service.

"Community members will have the choice of contacting Policelink 24/7 at the new Joint Contact Centre in Zillmere or contacting their local police station directly for non-urgent assistance," Mr Roberts said.

"This will reduce the call burden in existing business units, free up operational police officers and improve client service provided to the community.

"Training of Policelink Client Service Officers and Team Leaders has commenced and will continue through until operations begin next year."

Green Star ratings include: 4 Star (45 points, representing Best Practice), 5 Star (60 points, representing Australian Excellence) and 6 Star (75 points, representing World Leadership).

"The Green Building Council awarded the project an extremely high 92 points out o f 105, including four innovation points out of a maximum five," Mr Schwarten said.

"There are numerous eco-friendly features in the building design, such as the air conditioning system which includes thermal storage and off peak cooling; personalised, comfort controlled, workstations; chilled beam technology; and fresh air supply 150 percent above Australian Standards.

"The building will have water efficient appliances and fittings, and an integrated water management system that will collect, treat and reuse water.

"Photovoltaic cell technology will reduce dependence on the electrical grid, reduce emissions and reduce peak demand.

"Maximum use of daylight harvesting will minimise artificial light in the day.

"There are also passive design features including high ceilings and thermally efficient façade and roof materials, as well as revegetation of the site with native plants to improve the natural ecology of the area."

Construction on the project is due for completion in April 2010 and the Department of Public Works will then target six star ratings for its fitout.

Media contact: Minister Schwarten's office - 3237 1184; Minister Roberts' office - 3239 0199