This week's launch of the Green Building Council's rating tool has been coupled with another first - Sydney Olympic Park Authority as Council's inaugural member.
Building on the legacy established from hosting the 'Greenest Games ever' Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) comes into the Green Building Council's fold to act as both a leading example of sustainability success in action, and to assist in the promotion of 'green buildings' Australia-wide.
Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Brian Newman says championing environmental innovation and a best practice approach to sustainability is the organisations grounding philosophy, and that being part of the Green Building Council will further consolidate this approach.
"Membership to the Council is a highly effective way of establishing better links and a more thorough understanding of the property industry, as well as a way of building relationships with investors, development managers, architects, urban planners and designers. Hopefully this will result in a greater proportion of 'green buildings' being built," Mr Newman said.
The Green Building Councils rating tool for commercial buildings will provide significant guidance to developers, investors and the general community in terms of what constitutes a 'green building'. Sydney Olympic Park Authority has, through its involvement with planning for the Olympic Games (then, the OCA), been a strong advocate for promoting excellence in sustainable development and urban design. Sydney Olympic Park will utilise the Council's rating tool to complement their existing sustainability approach as it develops 'green buildings' as part of its Town Centre, where work is due to commence early next year.
"The Sydney Olympics raised the bar high in terms of incorporating clear environmental strategy into a design.
"The Park received worldwide recognition as having hosted the 'Greenest Games ever' in 2000. The venues and facilities are internationally renown for establishing new benchmarks in design excellence and best practice sustainability. It is this legacy that has earned what is now the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, the respect of the property industry and industry associations such as the Green Building Council," Mr Newman said.
All new developments at the Park must have a minimum 4.5 star energy efficiency rating and connect to WRAMS, Sydney Olympic Park's innovative urban water recycling system. The organization has a strong focus on energy and water conservation, protection of biodiversity, sustainable materials selection and waste minimisation.
The Green Building Council's rating tool aims to get the bar raised as high, and even higher, in more developmental planning across Australia.
Sydney Olympic Park will join the Green Building Council and the Property Council in hosting a two-day sustainability conference at Sydney Olympic Park on 14-15 October 2003.
For more information contact Shannon Kliendienst on 97147118 or 0414662209
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