State's first 5-Star NABERS Energy Commitment Agreement signed

Energy Minister Peter Collier today took part in a signing ceremony to mark a commitment towards building the State's first 5-star energy rated commercial office development.

He congratulated Stockland on its decision to design and construct the building, situated at 2 Victoria Avenue, to operate at a 5-star level under the National Australian Built Environment Rating Syste(NABERS).

Sustainable energy aspects incorporated into the building's design include:

·        three rooftop mounted wind turbines providing green energy;

·        operable louvers on the western facade to reduce glare and heat;

·        lighting controlled by zoned timed switches and sensors; and

·        high efficiency air conditioning.

The $50million, four-level office development, which sits adjacent to the existing Durack Centre building, is due for completion at the end of March 2009.

"The developers are to be congratulated on their leadership in building this office development with so many sustainability features," Mr Collier said.

NABERS is a voluntary national program for existing structures that enables building owners, managers and tenants to benchmark the environmental impacts of operational performance and to obtain a measure for energy and greenhouse efficiency. NABERS incorporates the former Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme.

The Minister said the average NABERS energy rating for buildings in the Perth metropolitan area was 3.3 stars against the national average building rating of 3.1 stars.

"The proposed 5-star rating for 2 Victoria Avenue, the highest achievable under the program, will be a superb achievement," he said.

The Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO) administers the NABERS energy program in WA.

For Energy Smart tips visit SEDO's website at http://www.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au  while more information about NABERS is available on its website at http://www.nabers.com.au