Sustainability delivers savings for Martin Brower
Logistics services provider Martin Brower is one of the first companies in Australia to achieve world leadership environmental credentials for its new $30 million industrial facility in Western Sydney.
The facility at Horsley Drive Business Park was developed by Frasers Property Australia, and is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of Martin Brower’s main client, McDonalds.
Frasers Property Australia recently achieved a 6 Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia for the development.
“This is one of the most technologically advanced temperature controlled storage and distribution facilities in Australia,” says Reini Otter, Frasers Property Australia’s executive general manager of commercial, industrial and IP.
Otter says Martin Brower has significantly decreased its ongoing operational savings as a direct result of the energy and water efficient features.
On-site power is generated from a roof-mounted, 777kW solar photovoltaic system, and metering enables the building manager to fine tune systems. Operational performance information is collated and accessed from a computer-controlled energy monitoring program that notifies of deviations from set energy use targets.
Outstanding water efficiency is achieved by harvesting rainwater with a total on site collection capacity of 5,000 litres for re-use within the refrigeration systems, toilets, irrigation and truck wash.
LED-lighting is automated. Warehouse lights have photo-electric controls that monitor the available natural light and respond accordingly, while office lights are equipped with light and movement sensors.
Business park owners are looking to deliver “direct and tangible benefits to customers”, Otter says, by reducing total occupancy costs and operating expenses, while also improving the health and wellbeing of employees.
Otter estimates a 4 Star-rated industrial facility of 15,000 to 20,000 sqm will deliver annual savings of between $1. and $1.75 per sqm when compared with a code-compliant building.
“By investing in targeted initiatives and technology to achieve a 6 Star rating, these savings could be increased by around 165 per cent over a 10-year term. In some cases, the adopted initiatives can deliver a cash flow positive result for the occupant from year one,” he explains.
“Everyone now lives and operates in a carbon constrained economy and buildings are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing each building’s carbon footprint alleviates further stress on the environment but also improves the financial bottom line,” Otter adds.