New Green Star rating tool launched

New Green Star rating tool launchedThe Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has launched Green Star – Design & As Built, a new rating tool to assess and certify completed buildings of all types and sizes.GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew said the tool “represents the most significant advancement in sustainable design and construction since we launched Green Star in 2003”, noting it involved “unprecedented collaboration with industry” on the rating tool’s credit criteria, benchmarks and documentation requirements.New credits include: “adaptation and resilience”, to reward buildings that are designed to be resilient in the face of a changing climate and extreme weather events; and “life cycle impacts”, which encourages the holistic reduction of environmental impacts of building materials.The tool also has an optional design review providing an early opportunity for project teams to promote their Green Star commitment.”We have been determined to deliver a rating tool that is simple and cost-effective, and Green Star – Design & As Built includes easy-to-use templates, streamlined documentation and flexible ways to demonstrate compliance,” said Madew.Other new credits include:Responsible building materials – recognises the use of building materials that have been sourced responsibly or have Chain of Custody certification.Sustainable products – rewards projects that specify building products that can demonstrate their sustainability credentials through environmental product declarations and third-party certification.Heat island effect – rewards projects that take steps to reduce their influence on the heat island effect in our cities.Sustainable transport – includes new pathways to demonstrate sustainable transport initiatives, including a Google Maps-powered calculator, and encourages walking and cycling.Projects can register for Green Star – Design & As Built by visiting the GBCA’s website: www.gbca.org.auIn other news from GBCA, Green Star ratings have been awarded to five train stations built or upgraded in the $3.9-billion Regional Rail Link in Victoria through a custom rating tool.The GBCA worked with the Regional Rail Link Authority to develop the new tool, which is customised to facilitate sustainable design and construction of railway stations.Upgrades to railway stations at Footscray, West Footscray and Sunshine, as well as new stations in Wyndham Vale and Tarneit, have all been awarded 4 Star Green Star – Custom Design certification from the GBCA.”These train stations are at the leading edge of sustainable design – and the people of Victoria now have independent, third-party proof that their community assets are efficient and future-proofed,” said Madew.The stations use extensive natural light to reduce reliance on electric lighting, and more than 100 solar panels provide power and heat water at each station. There is also energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, automatic sensors for lighting and air conditioning systems, and energy and water meters to monitor consumption.Water efficiency is a feature, with water-efficient taps, urinals and toilets reducing reliance on potable water; a rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater run-off from roofs, which is used to flush station toilets and wash platforms.”The sustainable outcomes achieved through these five projects are truly impressive. West Footscray railway station, for example, produces 40 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than a standard station design and consumes 60 per cent less water,” said Madew.