From: editor@gbcaus.org Sent: Thursday, 26
February 2004 4:27 PM Subject: Green Building Voice
Vol 7: Thursday, 26 February
2004
"Sustainability is about the relationship between the
two most complex systems on earth - human and living systems. The
interrelationships between these two systems marks every person's
existance and underlines the rise and fall of every civilisation."
Paul Hawkens 2004
Green building momentum is at an all
time high. We have nearly 100 members nation-wide since our
launch, and in the past four months we have trained 250
architects, engineers, planners, developers and policy makers
in the use of our environmental rating tool for office
buildings Green Star - Office Design. Next month we are
running four Green Star Accredited Professional Courses in
Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney- register early to avoid
disappointment.
Three more rating tools are planned for
development in the coming months, including a tenancy fitout
design tool, an existing building operational performance tool
and a post-construction tool. You can demonstrate your
leadership in green building by sponsoring the development of
a Green Star rating tool. Call us to discuss sponsorship
opportunities.
We have done many things in the last two
months including upgrading our website. Key improvements
include making the events, media and news sections more user
friendly.
I look forward to giving even more news on
advancements next month and look forward to an amazing and
successful 2004.
Maria
News
Government
Funding to Make Victorian Office Buildings
Greener Proposals are currently rolling in for the
Commercial Office Building Energy Innovation Initiative.
Expressions of interest are being sought for the next monthly
assessment panel meeting from organisations aiming for high
levels of energy efficiency. Eligible projects should be
submitted now to ensure that maximum project funding is
available.
Year
of the Built Environment The Green Building Council of
Australia welcomed the launch of the Year of the Built
Environment by the Premier of NSW, Bob Carr on 4 February
2004. "The Year of the Built Environment must be a time for
real action to drive the shift towards sustainable or green
buildings because it's not just the environment on the line -
it's also our health and our hip-pockets," said Executive
Director of the Green Building Council of Australia, Maria
Atkinson.
Solar
Access for Lots Guide The Sustainable Energy
Development Authority (SEDA) has released a Subdivision Guide
designed to assist developers to maximise the amount of solar
access in Residential Greenfield Subdivisions. The aim of the
guide is to facilitate good design and placement of a dwelling
while ensuring a more comfortable home, which costs less to
run and produces less greenhouse gases.
Business
Clean Up is Good for Bottom Line Businesses should use
Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday, 2 March to take some simple
steps to clean up their office environments. As part of the
information resources it provides to its members, the Green
Building Council of Australia has produced a list of easy
suggestions for businesses to clean up and go green - ranging
from immediate steps to others for the medium- and
longer-term.
Arsenic
Timbers Could be Banned The Green Building Council of
Australia congratulates the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority for taking a tough stance of
CCA treated timbers. In a draft report released in December
the Authority recommended that CCA timber be prohibited from
being used for children's play equipment, picnic tables and
handrails.
Resources
Fact Sheets and Publications -
Recent additions:
Greed
to Green - The Transformation of an Industry and a Life by
David Gottfried David Gottfried's memoir, Greed to
Green, offers a portrait of a career that covers ten years in
the comfortable niche of commercial real estate development,
followed by ten years on the rough frontier of an unformed
industry: sustainable, or green building. Greed to Green is a
compelling tale about finding the will to surmount obstacles
and live according to one's convictions. This engaging story
will inspire anyone setting out to effect political or
environmental change-or anyone in pursuit of a difficult
dream.
Increase
your understanding of green building practices and learn
how to use the Green Star - Office Design rating tool
for commercial office buildings.
Increase
your understanding of green building practices and learn
how to use the Green Star - Office Design rating tool
for commercial office buildings.
