Sneak peek at new rating tool for sustainable communities

After four years in the making, 38 sponsors and supporters, 135 members of technical working groups and committees, and 35 credits refined down from 85, the Green Star - Communities rating tool is almost ready for release.

With the PILOT rating tool planned for launch mid-year, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) will be hosting a ‘sneak peek’ of Green Star - Communities at Green Cities 2012.

“This will be the first opportunity for industry to have a close look at the PILOT rating tool and its credits,” said the GBCA’s Manager Sustainable Communities, Adam Beck.

“We have worked very hard over the last few years and are very proud to have brought together both industry and government to build what is truly a ‘world first’ rating tool for sustainable communities.”

Once released, the Green Star - Communities rating tool will be Australia’s first independent, transparent, national scheme able to assess and certify the sustainability of community-level projects. Beck says that there is no other rating tool like it around the world.

“It is the first rating tool to consider environmental issues - such as minimising energy and water consumption, and reducing dependence on motor vehicles - alongside broader holistic sustainability issues, such as economic prosperity, housing affordability and community diversity.”

The ‘sneak peak’ will be held at 8.00-8.30 am on Tuesday 6 March. For more information on Green Cities 2012, visit www.greencities.org.au.