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Business View Australia - September 2015 13
development of skills and techniques
within thebuilding industry, whichhave
led to reduced energy consumption
and cutting down on the volume of
waste material.
The Green Building Council of
Australia is at the forefront of the effort
to encourage sustainable building
practices across the country. It has
established a Green Star rating scale
which provides direction to builders
in their effort to adopt ecologically
friendly
practices.
Construction
companies are motivated to adopt
the Green Star rating system as it
also results in lowering operational
costs and increasing asset value.
In fact, the benefits available if a
building that meets these standards
is constructed, include a reduction of
66% in electricity cost as compared
to the average Australian city building.
The construction process also uses
51% less potable water against
what would have been consumed if
minimum industry requirements had
been followed.
Wide acceptance of this standard
has resulted in 550 projects totalling
eight million square metres having
received Green Star certification.
Currently, over 20% of Australia’s CBD
office space is certified green.
Climatic conditions across the
country vary widely and many area
have a harsh environment. Due to this
factor, it is even more important to
conserve energy and water resources.
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