Green Star rating tool for public buildings helps keep budgets in the black

After a two-year pilot period and extensive industry consultation, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released the Green Star - Public Building v1 rating tool.

“The Green Star - Public Building rating tool opens the door to Green Star certification for Australia’s public buildings,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew.

“A Green Star - Public Building rating provides independent verification that what is being designed and constructed is an efficient, sustainable and future-proofed asset,” Madew says.

“Public buildings such as community centres, libraries, law courts, theatres, museums, art galleries and places of worship can now demonstrate better outcomes for the economy, the environment and the community.

“The robustness of the Green Star - Public Building v1 rating tool will help local governments in particular to report on environmental improvements and demonstrate the ongoing accountability and cost-efficiencies of public building projects.

“The savings that Green Star-rated public buildings generate over their operational lifespan can help local governments to lower costs and keep budgets in the black,” Madew says.

Manningham City Council sponsored the development of Green Star - Public Building v1 and has registered its new civic precinct community hub to achieve Green Star certification.

“We’ve supported the development of the Green Star - Public Building v1 rating tool because, as a national, independent method of measurement, it will provide us with assurance that our sustainability aspirations can be delivered and verified. In doing so, we’ll leave our community with a lasting legacy,” says Manningham City Council’s Director of Assets and Engineering, Leigh Harrison.

The City of Yarra also sponsored the rating tool and has subsequently registered its North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub to achieve a Green Star rating.

“We committed to a Green Star rating for our new building because third-party certification sends a clear message to the community that we are serious about delivering a long-term asset that is healthy, productive and fiscally responsible,” says Andrew Griffin, Coordinator Capital Projects at the City of Yarra.