West Australian Newspapers wins top award for energy management

3/6/99
The owners of a prominent Perth building, in which every design aspect demonstrates energy saving principles, have won the highest accolade for energy management in this year's Western Australian Energy Efficiency Awards.
Energy Minister Colin Barnett announced tonight that West Australian Newspapers Limited was the winner of the awards' perpetual trophy for Newspaper House in the Herdsman Business Park.
The company was also named the winner of the Commercial Buildings category at an awards ceremony in Perth.
West Australian Newspapers Limited completed construction of Newspaper House last year, a purpose-built, owner occupied building adjacent to the production facility in which Perth's only daily newspaper is published.
Every aspect of the design of Newspaper House, from orientation and layout, to lighting and airconditioning, demonstrates energy efficiency principles.
"The building brings together proven energy-efficient practices and equipment to achieve high rates of efficiency and has not had to compromise on aesthetic appeal or the comfort of its employees to achieve this," Mr Barnett said.
"Already, energy and water consumption are well below the levels used in the company's previous building.
"It is an excellent example of what can be achieved by applying energy efficiency strategies to today's design and planning."
A total of 28 entries were submitted to the awards this year in six categories. They were judged by a panel of representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Property Council of WA; the Institution of Engineers; academic institutions; industry; and the Office of Energy.
This year, for the first time, a new award has been developed to recognise an individual who has strived to achieve a better environment through their effective use of energy and energy resources.
The winners are:

• Energy Achiever Award - Rob Horn. Mr Horn is the principal of Available Energy Consultants, a multi-discipline engineering consultancy with a strong focus on energy management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
• Planning, Transport and Infrastructure category - Ellenbrook Management Pty Ltd. The group has prepared a master plan for the development of Australia's latest innovative urban village at Ellenbrook - Coolamon. A diverse, mixed-use community has been created with specific principles to promote and encourage energy efficient design of all residences;
• Commercial Buildings category - West Australian Newspapers Ltd. Newspaper House was designed with energy efficiency as one of the key criteria;
• Industry category - Solahart Industries Ltd. The company decided that environmental awareness should 'begin at home' and embarked on a program to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at its manufacturing plant;
• Educational and Community-Based Programs category - Noranda Primary School. Through its society and environment curriculum, the school seeks to develop a culture of environmental awareness and energy conservation among its staff and students and potentially, the wider community; and -
• Innovation category - Steens Gray and Kelly Pty Ltd. The company was commissioned by the City of Bayswater to design the pool heating and main pool enclosure air conditioning mechanical services for the new Waves Aquatic Centre.

Mr Barnett congratulated all of the finalists and winners and thanked the Office of Energy for organising the awards, now into their seventh year.
"It is very encouraging to see the time and effort that companies are prepared to invest in order to make a difference to energy consumption levels, and I am sure it is very satisfying for them to reap the rewards from projects that benefit us all," the Minister said.
Media contacts:
Justine Whittome, Minister's office, (08) 9222 9699
Brett Cummings, Office of Energy, (08) 9321 1477 or - bcummings@energy.wa.gov.au