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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 19 March 2009 SYDNEY'S MOST SUSTAINABLE BUILDING OPENS ITS DOORS Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today officially opened the state’s most environmentally sustainable commercial office building. The newly-built Workplace6, located at Darling Island, Pyrmont, is the first building with a 6 Star Green Star rating to be completed in New South Wales. “Workplace6 features some of the largest commercial floor plates in Sydney and will accommodate around 1,200 office workers,” Ms Keneally said. “Compared to a standard building of this size, Workplace 6 will save 20 million litres of water a year, use 80 per cent less electricity and emit 50 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions. “These savings will deliver lower operating costs to the building’s tenants, which include Google and Accenture – a win for both the tenants and the environment. “The building includes a central atrium to maximise daylight, roof-mounted solar panels, operable windows for natural ventilation and improved air quality, and bike racks. “Other features include a harbour heat exchange system in lieu of conventional rooftop cooling towers, a gas fired trigeneration system, chilled beams, and grey and black water recycling.” Ms Keneally said construction of the building started in 2007, with The GPT Group, Citta and Buildcorp working with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority to create both a sustainable and commercially viable building. “Workplace6 is great to look at, fun to be in and quietly hides a multitude of technologies that place it at the forefront of environmental design and resource efficiency,” Ms Keneally said. “Sustainable office developments are becoming increasingly popular in the marketplace, and the NSW Government is committed to leading the way. “Sydneysiders can look forward to more sustainable development across the water at Barangaroo, with the Government committed to setting ambitious benchmarks for energy and water use for the new city precinct. “Barangaroo will provide more opportunities for environmentally responsible investment and ensure that Sydney’s foreshore remains at the global forefront of sustainable design.” The new building completes the Government’s renewal of Darling Island, which has delivered almost 2 hectares of waterfront parks and a foreshore promenade for the community.
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