Westpac office receives highest Green Star rating in Australia

Westpac Group’s fit-out in Tower Two of Barangaroo’s International Towers Sydney has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) — the highest rating achievable. Furthermore, the project received the highest number of Green Star points achieved by any office fit-out in Australia.

Following an assessment across nine categories, the fit-out was awarded maximum points for reduced water consumption, reduced dependency on private transport, minimising harm and enhancing the quality of local ecologies and encouraging sustainability practices throughout the fit-out’s design, construction and operation. Notable design features include an extensive metering system that monitors major energy and water usage, as well as using materials with lower environmental impact such as 95% re-used, recycled, certified or best practice timber and PVC.

“We are proud that we’ve been able to support the Barangaroo precinct’s goal of becoming Australia’s first carbon-neutral community. In addition to receiving the highest score, we are also in a 6 Star Green Star Building, with the first 6 Star Green Star bank branch — St George,” said John Harries, group general manager, operations, property and commercial services at Westpac.

“As well as reducing our environmental footprint, our emphasis has been on designing a workplace that provides flexibility and choice to help build an adaptable, health-conscious workforce.”

This latest rating builds on Westpac Group’s growing list of credentials in this area. Recognised as the world’s most sustainable bank for the 10th time in the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a number of the group’s properties have been awarded the 6 Star Green Star rating. This includes Bank of Melbourne’s flagship branch at 525 Collins Street, the St George branch at Barangaroo and the Westpac branch at 150 Collins Street, Melbourne.

GBCA CEO Romilly Madew has applauded Westpac for demonstrating leadership and setting an example for other institutions on a global scale, stating that the latest rating “reflects Westpac’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact”.