Tasmania sets its sights on Green Star certified schools

The Jordan River Learning Federation’s Senior School is set to be one of Tasmania’s first Green Star-rated schools.

The Learning Federation’s ‘Big Picture 1 and 2 buildings’ have been registered for a rating under the Green Star – Education Design v1 rating tool. The buildings, funded by the Tasmanian Government, also include a Science Centre funded by the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution program.

“We are delighted to see both the Tasmanian and Australian Governments’ commitment to greener buildings being realised in this hands-on learning resource for Australia’s next generation of sustainable leaders,” says Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly Madew.

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said: “Greener buildings are not only better for our environment, but they are much more pleasant to work and spend time in and they save money on energy bills. It’s great that Jordan River Learning Federation’s students will get the opportunity to learn both in and about these buildings.”

“Last year, the Tasmanian Minister for Climate Change announced the government’s commitment to meet Green Star benchmarks for every new school, hospital and health centre in the state.  We applaud Minister O’Connor and the Tasmanian Government for committing to this outcome at the Jordan River Learning Federation,” Ms Madew says.

The Tasmanian Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, said that the new facilities will provide a high quality and flexible learning environment which is enhanced by the inclusion of sustainable features that make the building itself a learning opportunity.

“The Jordan River Learning Federation’s new buildings will feature a number of environmentally sustainable initiatives, including onsite water storage with a 150,000 litre capacity for gardens, provision for cyclists, including showers and lockers, and a façade that is 90 per cent demountable and re-usable,” Mr McKim said.

“School buildings that incorporate sustainability principles free up money from utility costs that can then be directed back into education.”

Other education projects around Tasmania registered to achieve Green Star ratings include the Kingston High School and the Sustainability Learning Centre at Mount Nelson.

“A range of studies has confirmed that green schools can improve the health and learning of students, reduce teacher sick days and turnover, and offer interactive learning about sustainability and the environment.  We congratulate the Tasmanian and Australian Governments for demonstrating that green schools are affordable and achievable,” Ms Madew concludes.

Download the GBCA’s Green Schools report, to understand the benefits of green schools, and learn from the practical experience of ministers, education departments, principals and teachers in embracing the Green Star - Education rating tool.

Contact:
Karen Jamal
Communications Manager
Green Building Council of Australia
Phone: 0412 179 135
Email: karen.jamal@gbca.org.au