Refurbishment of the new ACT Law Courts will be a shining example of Australian excellence in sustainable design, after the government committed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating for the facility.
ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell confirmed the Law Courts will target a 5 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
The new ACT Law Courts, with a capital cost of $150 million, will meet the territory’s needs for the next 50 years and will create about 350 jobs throughout the construction phase of the project. Corbell said some of the environment features in the design include the installation of a 110KW capacity solar photovoltaic array, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting and end-of -journey facilities for cyclists.
“A new integrated heating and cooling plant arrangement and improved lighting systems will also contribute to the energy efficiency of the new precinct," he said.
Applauding the ACT government's decision to achieve a Green Star rating, the GBCA CEO, Romilly Madew said the ACT government has already made a strong commitment to sustainable schools and is currently working to achieve Green star ratings for eight separate sdhools. “A Green Star rating gives ACT taxpayers confidence that the infrastructure they are funding is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable," she said.
“Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Law Courts will help the ACT Government save money, future-proof
valuable assets, improve the productivity, health and wellbeing of workers and visitors to ultimately create a
stronger, more sustainable community."