Sustainability around the corner for Fishermans Bend
The Andrews Government’s commitment to ensure Fishermans Bend is a world leader in sustainability has been welcomed by Australia’s property industry.
The Andrews Government has released its recast vision for Fishermans Bend – the 465-hectare site close to Melbourne’s CBD which will one day accommodate more than 80,000 people.
The recast vision specifically outlines a commitment to work with the Green Star – Communities rating tool, developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to guide the planning of sustainable communities and precincts.
The GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew and the Property Council of Australia’s Acting Victorian Executive Director Asher Judah applauded the government’s decision to pursue a Green Star – Communities rating.
“This is something industry has been calling for over a number of years, and we are delighted that the Andrews Government has responded so positively,” said Ms Madew.
“The significance of the site, the scale of the project, and the far-reaching implications of ‘getting it right’ make achieving a Green Star – Communities rating an essential component of smart, sustainable planning.”
“Three years ago the Property Council urged the Government to endorse the Green Star – Communities rating tool at Fishermans Bend to support sustainable, resilient and liveable communities,” said Mr Judah.
“It is exciting to see the Government commit to this important sustainability reform.”
“Fishermans Bend will be Australia’s largest Green Star community, and this rating will give the people of Victoria independent proof that this massive investment is not only environmentally sustainable, but also liveable, resilient, prosperous and healthy,” Ms Madew concludes.
About Green Star – Communities
The Green Star – Communities rating tool, launched in 2012, was developed in consultation with industry experts, academia and government – including every land development organisation in the country. The rating tool has established industry-agreed best practice benchmarks in five categories: governance, liveability, economic prosperity, environment and innovation. Ten projects have already achieved Green Star – Communities ratings, ranging from small inner city infill projects to large-scale developments that will one day be home to their own postcodes. See: www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-communities/
About the Property Council of Australia
The Property Council of Australia is the leading advocate for Australia’s property industry, with 2,200 member companies that represent property assets over $600 billion. Approximately 0 of these members are part of the Victorian Division. We represent Victoria’s biggest industry, which accounts for 11.9% of the state’s economic activity, and generates 273,000 jobs. The Property Council’s members are acknowledged leaders in sustainable development across a range of new and existing property assets. See: www.propertycouncil.com.au
About the Green Building Council of Australia
The GBCA is the nation’s authority on sustainable buildings and communities. The GBCA’s mission is to accelerate the transformation of Australia’s built environment into one that is healthy, liveable, productive, resilient and sustainable. The GBCA works with industry and government to encourage policies and programs that support its mission. The Council educates thousands of people each year on how to design and deliver sustainable outcomes for Australia’s buildings and communities. And it operates Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system for sustainable buildings and communities – Green Star. See: www.gbca.org.au
Media contacts
Karen Jamal
Green Building Council of Australia
Tel: 0412 179 135
Email: [email protected]
Asher Judah
Property Council of Australia
Tel: 0499 841 715
Email: [email protected]