The first two Green Star ratings for industrial facilities prove that there is room for sustainability in the industrial market.
The Metcash Distribution Centre in NSW, developed by Goodman Group, is the first distribution centre to be awarded a 4 Star rating under the Green Star - Industrial As Built v1 rating tool.
The Sherwood Road Bus Depot, developed by Commercial & Industrial Property Pty Ltd (CIP), championed by the Brisbane City Council and owned by Telstra Super, has been awarded a 5 Star Green Star - Industrial As Built v1 rating, and is also the first of its kind to be granted this rating.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said they are both landmark projects that prove that sustainable construction in the industrial market is achievable.
“Sustainability can be a simple way to deliver cost-savings in the industrial sector," she said.
"Operating from a Green Star rated industrial facility has the potential to increase efficiencies, cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, not to mention reduce worker injuries and boost employee satisfaction and performance - benefits that will be realised at
both the Metcash Distribution Centre and Sherwood Road Bus Depot for many years to come."
The Metcash Distribution Centre incorporates more than 77,000 square metres of
ambient and temperature-controlled warehouse storage areas and 5,500 square metres of A-grade corporate office space.
The building features energy-efficient lighting which will reduce energy consumption by around 30 per cent and save more than 2,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Up to 300,000 litres of rainwater per year will be captured from the warehouse’s roof before being recycled for landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, cooling towers and truck washing.
A Green Star ‘Innovation’ point was awarded for the materials efficiencies achieved
through the use of jointless steel fibre reinforced concrete used for the warehouse floor slab, which reduced the amount of concrete needed by 16 per cent, and the amount of steel needed by 40 per cent.
Goodman Group head of sustainability, James Vesper, said the building’s energy efficiency initiatives alone are generating ongoing operational cost savings of 30 per cent,
when compared to a standard warehouse facility.
“We believe this project is representative of a shift in thinking about the value proposition of sustainability and certification within the industrial sector," he said.
Sustainability was a top consideration across all aspects of the Metcash development.
"The delivered outcome is commercially competitive and aims to provide Metcash with a market advantage,” Vesper adds.
Silvestro Morabito, chief operating officer of Metcash said there were four key measures -
benefits in running costs, individual employee benefits, improved organisational culture, and environmental benefits.
The Sherwood Road Bus Depot, now owned by Telstra Super, achieved its 5 Star Green Star – Industrial As Built v1 rating for a range of initiatives, including light-filled offices, breakout areas and workshops, and excellent passive design as well as natural ventilation which makes the most of the Queensland climate.
The project was also recognised for its site water collection, re-use and management strategy that treats stormwater through a biofiltration system which then provides most of the depot’s non-potable water demand.
The Brisbane City Council was committed to capturing the benefits of a Green Star-rated building when engaging development, design and construction company CIP to develop “a low-impact and environmentally sustainable facility employing the latest technology and design innovations” at Sherwood.
CIP managing director, Paul McKenna, said sustainability is a significant point of difference in its market sector.
"We are committed to achieving the best environmental outcome for our clients, and in doing so we have found more often than not a sustainable outcome will also deliver a commercial edge due to the cost savings afforded by energy efficiency," he said.
Telstra Super chairman David Leggo, said the company was attracted to the development because it supports a progressive approach to sustainable infrastructure, as well as long-term value.
Leggo also chairs the Fund’s Investment Committee and recognised it as a quality addition to its property portfolio.
Notable achievements include the recycling of more than 90 per cent of waste generated throughout construction and demolition.
This is in addition to a 50 per cent abatement in greenhouse gas emissions as compared to benchmark projects, a 35 per cent net reduction (by mass) of structural steel while conserving structural integrity, and the use of concrete with an overall average cement reduction of 46 per cent through the replacement of Portland cement with industrial by-products such as fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag.
Sustainability consultant on the project, Umow Lai’s Lizzie Adams, said the project delivered but it required incredible diligence right down to ensuring the " very last can of paint was sustainable."