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Welcome
As we approach the end of the year several world class sustainability conferences are being held – this month's newsletter provides all the details. In particular, we welcome back Joe Van Belleghem, who will keynote at the Business of Sustainability Conference.
This month's edition has the latest on the benefits of building green in the US. The Green Building Council of Australia will release its 'Business Case for Building Green' report in February 2006.
On 16 November the Council celebrates its 3rd birthday - thanks goes to all our members and sponsors - it is your support that we will celebrate.
I also look forward to reading the results of the ‘Membership Survey’. Your feedback will be instrumental in shaping our activities in 2006.
Finally, the Green Building Council welcomes its newest members: Cundall Johnston & Partners, JCK Consulting Pty Ltd and Westfield Pty Ltd.
Maria
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News
The Business of Sustainability Conference & Expo will be held over two days on 30 November and 1 December 2005 in Adelaide, South Australia. It features an exceptional line up of international, national and local speakers.
The trade fair will showcase the nation's ability to provide products and services designed to reduce costs, increase profits and competitiveness while operating in a sustainable environment.
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The Green Building Council has four member committees that work with staff on behalf of members, to deliver strategic outcomes for the industry.
After several months' rest, the Council's Education Committee reconvened in August 2005. Committee members were sought from a diverse range of the Council's member organisations across the country. Currently there are representatives from NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. The members represent academics, developers, manufacturers, owners, professional services, professional societies, the legal profession and state government.
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Congratulations to Investa Property Group, who have won the 2005 savewater! Awards in the 'Service Providers' category.
Investa Property Group installed 370 waterless urinals and attached 3,000 water flow restrictors to taps, hand-basins and showers, with the aim to reduce its water consumption by 25 per cent in three years across nine portfolio properties. It also established a comprehensive integrated environmental management system.
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New York City Council has passed new green building legislation. Most new and substantially renovated city buildings costing more than $2 million will be required to be constructed in a healthy and environmentally sound manner. They will need to meet LEED green building standards. The legislation controls city-owned and city-funded buildings only, but it is hoped privately-owned buildings will follow suit.
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Australian built environment professionals now have their own Green Roofs organisation: Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities (GRHAC).
It has begun under the umbrella of the Urban Agriculture Network - Western Pacific, a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that is an offshoot of the Urban Agriculture Network in Washington DC.
Governor of GRHAC, Geoff Wilson plans to promote membership among architects, urban developers, urban planners and designers, horticultural contractors, municipal government, State and Federal advisers in greenhouse gas and city heat island effect mitiagation.
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A new book from the Urban Land Institute in the US proves that building green is not only socially responsible, but also good for your bottom line.
'Green Office Buildings: A Pracitical Guide to Development' spells out the financial benefits of green buildings in terms of both capital costs and operating costs. It dispels the myth that green buildings cost more and provides profiles of 15 projects around the world where green buildings have proved successful and profitable.
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Turner Construction Company in the US (the North American brother of Leighton Properties) has announced the findings of its survey of 665 building owners, developers, architects, engineers, corporate owner-occupants, consultants and educational institutions on green building issues. This year, their survey placed a special focus on green educational facilities.
The survey revealed that more than 70% of executives believe that green buildings enhance student performance and ability to retain teachers. It also found that the total long-term costs of green buildings are lower than perceived, and misconceptions about higher costs are still the primary obstacles to building green.
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The first international guiding principles for sustainable hotel design and development have been developed. 'Sustainable Hotel Siting, Design and Construction' is a new book published by Conservation International (CI) and The Prince of Wales' International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF). It will dramatically help hotel companies build sustainable and more environmentally-friendly developments - providing a set of guiding principles that can be used throughout the industry.
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Green Star
The deadline for feedback on our existing rating tools is looming. If you have a suggestion for improvement we want to hear from you.
Green Star rating tools are developed on the basis of information available at the time of their development. Each year we review the tools to reflect new technologies, products and design philosophies and release a new version if appropriate.
Feedback for the 2005 review period must be received by Wednesday 30 November. It can be sent to greenstar@gbca.org.au
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To date three projects have been awarded Green Star ratings but this is expected to increase dramatically in the coming months. There are 31 projects aiming for certification under Green Star - Office Design, Green Star - Office As Built and Green Star - Office Interiors.
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40 Albert Road, South Melbourne combines cutting edge sustainable design with a sophisticated, contemporary appearance. It is a showcase of sustainable building performance and innovative technology. It has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star - Office Design V1 rating which gives the project "world leadership" status, and is the first office refurbishment in Australia to be awarded this rating. For more information, read the case study on our website.
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The last two Green Star courses for 2006 - in Adelaide and Sydney - have sold out.
We are currently putting our 2006 Course Calendar together and will release it in our December newsletter.
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