Five new directors help build a green future

As the property industry prepares for the challenges ahead in 2009, five new directors have been elected to the Board of the Green Building Council of Australia.

The Green Building Council outlined its 2009 agenda at its 5th Annual General Meeting held in Sydney yesterday, at which the new directors were elected.

The five new Directors elected to the Board are as follows:
- Christine Bartlett, Jones Lang LaSalle
- Rowan Griffin, Colonial First State
- Chris Luscombe, Mirvac
- Carey Lyon, Australian Institute of Architects
- Siobhan Toohill, Stockland
(See full list of current Directors below)

Chair of the Green Building Council of Australia, Tony Arnel, said the new directors' input will be invaluable during a time of economic uncertainty for the property industry.

"There has never been a more important time for Australia to embrace green building practices and invest in sustainable initiatives to protect our future," said Mr Arnel.

"The appointment of the new directors will assist the Green Building Council of Australia in its mission to transform the property industry and future-proof our buildings and our economy."

The new directors will help oversee a number of major activities during 2009, including:

• developing and releasing Green Star rating tools for Mixed Use/ Residential, Industrial and Public Buildings;
• driving the number of projects registered under new Green Star tools for the education and retail sectors;
• taking an active role in ensuring the Australian property industry is prepared for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), launching its carbon strategy and contributing to ongoing carbon abatement research;
• in conjunction with the Property Council of Australia, hosting the Green Cities 09 Conference & Expo (Brisbane, 1-4 March 2009);
• working with members of the World Green Building Council to develop an international rating tool framework;
• reviewing the materials category within the Green Star rating tools;
• continuing to work with the New Zealand Green Building Council and Green Building Council of South Africa; and
• increasing the availability of Green Star training courses and introducing a continuing professional development program to enhance the Green Star Accredited Professional scheme.

The membership of the GBCA Board is now as follows:

• Tony Arnel (Chair), Victorian Building Commission - Government
• Maria Atkinson, Lend Lease - Property Developer
• Michael Barnes, ISIS Projects - Contractor
• Christine Bartlett, Jones Lang LaSalle - Facility & Asset Managers
• Andrew Borger, Leighton Holdings - Building Owners
• Robert Coombs, InterfaceFlor Inc - Building Product Manufacturers, Building Controllers & Service Contractors
• Rowan Griffin, Colonial First State Global Asset Management - Building Owners
• Daniel Grollo, Grocon - Property Developer
• Chris Luscombe, Mirvac - Property Developer
• Carey Lyon, Australian Institute of Architects - Professional Societies
• Romilly Madew, Green Building Council of Australia
• Molly Harriss Olson, National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development - Environmental Organisations
• Siobhan Toohill, Stockland - Property Developer
• Peter Verwer, Property Council of Australia - At Large Director
• John Thwaites, Monash Sustainability Institute - At Large Director
• Ché Wall, Lincolne Scott - Professional Services
• David Worley, The Laminex Group - Building Product Manufacturers, Building Controllers and Service Contractors

About the Green Building Council of Australia

Launched in 2002, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is a national, not-for-profit organisation that is uniquely supported by both industry and government across the country. The Green Building Council's mission is to develop a sustainable property industry for Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices through market-based solutions.

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Media Contact:
Emma Piper
Green Building Council of Australia
Tel: 0417 410 288
Email: emma.piper@gbca.org.au