Stockland Wetherill Park gets 5 Star Green Star

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), today recognised Stockland for taking an industry-leading approach to sustainable design and development with the $222 million redevelopment of Stockland Wetherill Park, awarding the project a 5 Star Green Star – Retail Centre Design rating.

Stockland is currently undertaking a transformation of the 32 year old centre,located in Sydney’s thriving Western Suburbs. Upon completion in mid-2016 Stockland Wetherill Park will be a state-of-the-art, sustainable community hub.

Launched by the Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system for buildings and communities. The 5 Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia signifies ‘Australian Excellence’.

Stockland Development Manager, Justin Travlos said: “We are extremely proud that our delivery of Stockland Wetherill Park has achieved Australian excellence for sustainable design and delivery.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with our retailers, the community and the GBCA to improve the environmental performance of this centre now and into the future. We truly believe in the ability for sustainability practice to change the retail landscape in Australia and this recognition is an important step in that direction.”

Stockland Wetherill Park has been recognised for incorporating sustainability into all aspects of the shopping centre redevelopment, across design, management, indoor environment quality, water, materials, transport, emissions, land use and ecology. A number of state-of-the-art sustainability features have been incorporated including mixed-mode air conditioning within the malls, low-energy
light fittings and climate and responsive ventilation systems to provide air conditioning to the centre efficiently.

Through these design initiatives, a number of financial and environmental savings will be made across the shopping centre. Water consumption is expected to be reduced by 5kL per day through the use of rainwater harvested for toilet flushing, the equivalent of 111, five minute showers every day.

Energy and greenhouse gas emissions will also be significantly reduced with a target of 1.6 million kW, 55% less than the average shopping centre and an equivalent energy saving of over 300 family households. In addition, approximately $4 million per annum* is expected to be saved for Stockland and its tenants.

Stockland National Sustainability Manager, Commercial Property, Greg Johnson said: “International research has found shopping centres integrating green principles are not only more energy and water-efficient, but can also generate higher sales*. This coupled with the genuine savings that we can pass onto our retailers further influences the business case for turning green and how it can benefit everyone involved.”

Stockland has also considered sustainability beyond the rating tools, incorporating a number of important ongoing community initiatives and facilities into the Wetherill Park development. These include, cycling and shower facilities to encourage locals to walk or ride to the centre, community focussed public art projects, and building the first Jamie’s Ministry of Food cooking school for NSW.

Justin Travlos continues: “The community initiatives at Stockland Wetherill Park are part of a longer term strategy to provide our customers and the local community with an experience that engages and inspires.”

“This will be further developed over the next year when we officially launch the centre, with a range of events and festivals, permanent and temporary artworks and community development projects. We look forwarding to continuing to transform Stockland Wetherill Park to deliver more than just another shopping experience.”

A number of new innovations have also been included during the construction phase to ensure all elements of the redevelopment maintained sustainability standards. Most notable has been the delivery of the first high performance construction site office in Australia by construction partner Brookfield Multiplex.

Dennis Else, Executive Director Sustainability, Health and Safety at Brookfield Multiplex, said: “The revolutionary site office has seen significant improvements in productivity, collaboration, comfort and satisfaction among the construction workers on the Stockland Wetherill Park project. We know the impact smart design can have on people in terms of productivity in offices, wellbeing in hospitals and learning in schools. With 80 per cent of our workforce based onsite we wanted to apply this thinking to site offices.”

Stockland is proud to have the most Green Star rated shopping centres in Australia, this 5 Star rating is the first for the Stockland retail portfolio. Stockland is also rated as one of the most sustainable property companies in the world and its long term commitment to sustainability has been demonstrated by its listing on the World Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last eight years.

Notes to editor:

* The predicted savings are estimated using the Green Star Retail Centre V1 Energy Calculator and energy modelling software based on an electricity cost of 15.5 cents per kWh.
*Green Building Council of Australia – Retail Fact Sheet: https://www.gbca.org.au/uploads/221/1757/Factsheet_Retail_Centrev1.pdf.

Facts and Stats:

• The Stockland Wetherill Park development includes initiatives for carbon dioxide monitoring and control to ensure the quality of breathable air within the indoor environment is maintained at a healthy level
• Paints, adhesives and carpets used in the development building have been selected carefully to minimise emissions typical of these materials to ensure occupant health.
• Electrical sub-metering has been incorporated into this building in order to provide information for building users and tenants about the distribution of energy use so that high use areas can be identified and addressed accordingly to save both energy and energy cost.
• Water use is expected to be around 11.5 kL per day which includes a reduction of approximately 5 kL per day from rainwater harvesting for the purposes of toilet flushing.
• All water used during the testing of the fire sprinklers, hydrants and fire hose reels is recaptured and stored for reuse in a 150 KL tank.
• Water meters are installed in this building and linked to a Building Management System. This aids in the management of water consumption for the building and allows any leaks to be detected quickly to prevent the wastage of any water. Water efficient fittings have been used in the bathrooms and showers.
• Waste and recycling facilities have been incorporated within the centre and also at the back of the centre for tenants.
• A centralised energy efficient plant has been incorporated as part of the design to provide air conditioning to the centre efficiently; it is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 25% compared to an average shopping centre benchmark established by the Green Building Council of Australia.
• Improved thermal comfort by maintaining comfortable temperature ranges, air movement and relative humidity levels.

For media enquiries

Monique Jones
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Stockland

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Greg Spears
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Media Relations
Stockland

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