Premier of Victoria, the Hon John Brumby presents at Green Cities 2010

Victoria's credentials as the home of Australia's most sustainable cities will be under the spotlight when Premier John Brumby addresses the cream of global property and environmental leaders in Melbourne this month.

The Premier will deliver the first keynote address at the Green Cities 2010 conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre on 22 February to hundreds of international and Australian property and environment experts. Green Cities 2010 is a joint initiative of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the Property Council of Australia (PCA).

Green Cities 2010 will showcase many of Melbourne's most sustainable buildings with delegates touring a number of Green Star rated buildings. They include The Gauge, Kangan Batman and Goods Shed North in the Docklands area, and Council House 2 in Little Collins Street, which has become a high-profile example of public sector leadership in sustainable development.

GBCA Chief Executive, Romilly Madew said government policy is playing a critical role in determining the sustainability of cities.

"The approach government takes to development and planning policy, and its leadership by example, will determine which cities are sustainable for the next 100 years," Ms Madew said.

The options available to further improve the sustainability of Australian cities will be a key theme of Green Cities 2010, with experts from the United States, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and India comparing the most successful methodologies from around the world.

Property Council Chief Executive Peter Verwer said the impact of sustainability policy on the property sector would be a key theme for delegates at Green Cities 2010.

"Australia has a rare opportunity to supercharge the greening of the nation's buildings, precincts and cities," Mr Verwer said. "Public policy on sustainability is a hot topic for commercial building owners and developers, and will be a key focus for Green Cities 2010 delegates."

"Undoubtedly there will be a robust debate concerning government sustainability initiatives and how they will determine the future of incentives for existing buildings, the Green Building Fund and carbon trading."

More detail on Green Cities 2010, including a full program for the conference, is available at www.greencities.org.au.

Media contacts: Julie Sheather 0409 514 643 or Kate McQuestin 0419 591 150