Wyndham’s civic centre is going green after becoming the first existing building in Australia to be signed up for a ‘Green Star’ performance rating.
While all new buildings must comply with energy ratings, older buildings can now be tested for their environmental impact. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) recently launched a Green Star performance rating tool to test existing buildings and improve their efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Wyndham council was the first to sign up to the pilot program, with another 33 building owners about to join.
“The ratings are not just for offices but schools and hospitals, industrial and retail facilities alike,” GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew said.
“Once a building owner has an understanding of how a building is currently performing, practical action can be taken to improve the building’s operational performance and reduce its environmental impact.
“Wyndham council has shown exceptional leadership, and achieving one of the first Green Star performance ratings will enable it to identify and upgrade the operational performance of a valuable community asset in areas such as energy, water, waste reduction and indoor environment quality.”
Mayor Bob Fairclough said the test would identify problems and ways to improve the civic centre.
“Wyndham City has implemented a range of sustainability measures across its existing buildings in recent years, including energy and water efficiency upgrades and community e-waste recycling hubs,” Cr Fairclough said. “As part of the Wyndham environment and sustainability strategy, Wyndham City is aiming for a 40 per cent reduction in corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 2015.
“A $2.47 million federal government grant will allow us to convert the city’s 12,088 street lights to compact energy- efficient fluorescent tubes.”
