Dandiiri Contact Centre another shining example of a greener future

One of Australia's greenest buildings - the Queensland Government's $47.6 million Dandiiri Contact Centre - is now even greener, with installation of more than 2,000 square metres of additional solar panelling now complete.

During a visit to the building at Zillmere today, Minister for Government Services and Building Industry Simon Finn and Minister for Environment Vicky Darling said the additional solar panelling, worth $3.3 million, would effectively make the building carbon neutral.

Mr Finn said the additional photovoltaic cells installed above the car park further emphasised the Bligh Government's focus on the Towards Q2 Green commitments to reduce its carbon footprint by reducing vehicle and electricity emissions.

"This second stage of PV cell installation adds to the cells already on the roof of the building, bringing the total size of the solar project to 1,866 panels, covering 2,950 square metres of roof space," Mr Finn said.

The rated capacity of PV array is now 393 kilowatts. This equates to an energy production capacity of approximately 710 MWhrs of energy per annum, saving 734 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

Mr Finn said the building had already been recognised for 'World Leadership' in environmentally-sustainable design with a 6 Star Green Star - Office Design v2 certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

"The building design achieved 92 points out of 100, making it one of the most ecologically sustainable buildings in the country," he said.

"The Dandiiri Contact Centre is a shining example of how much Queenslanders can reduce their carbon footprint by embracing new green technology and ecologically sustainable design."

The Dandiiri Contact Centre houses call centre staff from Smart Service Queensland and Queensland Police Service and operates as a 24 hour, seven day call centre facility.

Ms Darling said the project demonstrated how power-hungry buildings like 24/7 call centres could be designed to reduce green house gases with current technology.

"Almost one quarter of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to energy use from residential and commercial buildings," Ms Darling said.

"It's one of the reasons why the government introduced its $196 million climate change strategy - Climate Q: towards a greener Queensland - which includes the Five Star Rating for New Government Owner Office Buildings initiative.

"The design of the photovoltaic system at Dandiiri Contact Centre allows for the export of solar-generated power during the day and the import of power from the Energex grid at night.

"This design reduces the demand on peak energy loads by 50 per cent.

"The car park lighting energy consumption has also been reduced by using LED lighting.

The Dandiiri Contact Centre was completed and occupied in June 2010 and its 24 hour, seven day call centre provides services to approximately 414 shift staff.