Sustainability stars applauded at property awards
A $228 million shopping centre redevelopment in Sydney’s west and a project on track to be Australia’s first carbon neutral precinct have taken home the top sustainability honours at the 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards.
Stockland was presented with the CEFC Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings, while Lendlease took home the WSP Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings for Barangaroo South.
Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison says Stockland Wetherill Park was a worthy winner for an approach to environmental and social sustainability that “transformed an ageing shopping centre into a community centrepiece”.
First developed by Stockland in 1983, the centre’s most recent two-staged redevelopment was completed in December 2015, with the refurbishment of the fresh food precinct completed in September 2016.
The redevelopment increased retail space by 27 per cent, introduced an 800-seat food court, and more than doubled the fresh food and casual dining offerings. With more than 70,000 sqm of gross lettable area, Stockland Wetherill Park is now the leading retail offering in the area.
The shopping centre boasts 5 Star Green Star ratings for design and construction, which has slashed energy and water use and delivers an estimated $4 million a year in savings to Stockland and its tenants.
Mr Morrison says Stockland’s approach to social sustainability is also impressive.
“Stockland Wetherill Park launched the first Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food in the country, which provides a permanent kitchen to educate the community on healthy eating. Stockland’s innovative strategy has created shared value and is a model for other shopping centres,” Mr Morrison explains.
“Stockland Wetherill Park caters to a diverse community and has been a catalyst for economic regeneration in the area, creating 2,2-plus jobs.”
Stockland Wetherill Park also took home the Yardi Award for Best Shopping Centre Development.
Meanwhile, Barangaroo South was applauded for its large-scale approach to sustainability – one that is being replicated around the world.
Lendlease commenced construction of the precinct in October 2011. Barangaroo South will eventually accommodate 23,000 office workers, 2,000 residents, a six-star hotel and 80-plus cafés, bars, restaurants and retail outlets across 535,000 sqm of gross floor area.
“Barangaroo South is demonstrates how leadership in sustainability can exist alongside spectacular commercial success” says the RLB’s Managing Director NSW, Matthew Harris.
Barangaroo South is one of a select group chosen by the C40 Cities/Clinton Climate Initiative’s Climate Positive Development Program.
The precinct boasts some of Australia’s most admired sustainable buildings, including International House Sydney, Australia’s first engineered timber commercial building, and International Towers Sydney, which have all achieved 6 Star Green Star ratings.
The retail offering comprises 85 retail stores and some 18,000 sqm of GLA, and each retailer has achieved a Green Star rating for its interior fitout.
RLB provided a range of services to Lendlease and its partners.
“Barangaroo South aims to be Australia’s first large-scale carbon neutral precinct, and sustainability is embedded in everything from the design of buildings to the materials used,” Mr Harris adds.
“Lendlease’s team has worked tirelessly to drive a large-scale sustainability program that has recalibrated supply chains and has encouraged large commercial tenants to think differently about their environmental impact.”
Barangaroo South was also presented with the evening’s most coveted award, the RLB Australian Development of the Year, as well as the Liberty Steel Award for Best Mixed Use Development.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.
The 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 11 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
A full list of winners is available online: www.propertycouncilawards.com.au
Media enquiries and images: Karen Jamal | P 0412 179 135 | E [email protected]