Westfield’s Sydney development in Pitt Street Mall was last night awarded a five star Green Star Retail Centre v1 rating, making it the largest Green Star certified retail project in Australia, and paving the way for a raft of green star shopping centres. And according to Westfield Group Australia and New Zealand managing director Robert Gordon there are more Green Star rated centres onthe way.
Green Building Council of Australia executive director Suzie Barnett presented the award in the Cara concept store restaurant, tucked away on the fourth floor of the centre.
The Pitt Street development incorporates a range of sustainable features, including the first dedicated tri-generation system in a retail development in Australia and the largest on-site urban recycled water treatment system in an Australian retail centre.
Westfield is expecting the tri-gen system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent when compared with a traditional shopping centre of a similar size and its water recycling plant to cut water consumption in the centre by 80 per cent.
Westfield was also awarded the Smart Awards 2011 Excellence in Supply Chain innovation in NSW for implementing advanced computer and wireless mobile technology to streamline the centre’s delivery dock system contributing to reduced traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Bicycle facilities have been incorporated into the centre to make carbon neutral transport easier for commuters and workers.
The project team also recycled more than 90 per cent of waste generated during the construction process.
Chief executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew, said she looked forward to seeing the benchmarks set by Westfield Sydney integrated into many other shopping centre projects throughout Australia.
“Recognising that the retail sector is one of the largest consumers of energy and water, we congratulate Westfield Sydney for having the vision and commitment to develop the largest Green Star-rated retail precinct in Australia.”
The Westfield Group pioneered the Green Star rating tool for retail centres by voluntarily assisting and sponsoring pilot tool development. Throughout the project Westfield Design and Construction collaborated with a range of consultants, contract organisations and the GBCA to achieve the 5 Star – Green Star rating
Mr Jordan said Westfield Group aspired to deliver a sustainable world-class retail shopping centre in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
“Through concept design to practical completion, the project team ensured that they delivered on the environmentally sustainable vision for the Westfield Sydney retail precinct,” Mr Jordan said.
