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Vol 8: Thursday, 25 March 2004

"Producing a simple, national green building rating scheme will help transform the environmental performance of the property industry" Bob Carr - NSW Premier


	This month's edition is packed with local and international news and I thank all those who have contributed to it. The post construction office rating tool 'Green Star - As Built' will be launched in April. The Council's Technical Working Group continues its work on the Green Star - Office Interiors tool due for release as a pilot in June. The demand for type rating tools for other building types is very high and there is great scope and opportunity to sponsor the development of future Green Star tools. Sponsorship packages detailing the promotional advantages are now available on our home page. Congratulations to our first group of Green Star Accredited Professionals. Maria Atkinson Executive Director
	News New Sustainability Umbrella Organisation Industry and government have joined together to form a new national umbrella organisation called the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC). The aim of ASBEC is to ensure sustainability issues for buildings are addressed in a consistent fashion. The Green Building Council is on the ASBEC steering committee which also includes the: CSIRO, Property Council, Australian Procurement and Construction Council, Australian Greenhouse Office, RAIA, UDIA, Australian Building Codes Board and the CRC for Construction and Innovation. South Australia Adopts Green Ideas South Australia has adopted a number of initiatives to make their communities more green, including mandatory plumbed rainwater tanks on all new homes from July 2006 and five-star energy ratings for new housing built from July 2006. Who Cares about the Environment? Water conservation ranked as the single most important issue in the NSW government's recent report "Who Cares about the Environment". Eighty-eight percent of participants also agreed that if they were building or renovating a home, an environmental rating on building designs, materials, plumbing fittings and appliances would influence their purchasing decisions. Australia Involved in a New International Climate Change Taskforce Three of the world's leading think tanks: the Australia Institute, the Institute for Public Policy Research in London and the Centre for America Progress in Washington DC have joined together to form the International Climate Change Taskforce. The Taskforce aims to bring the two countries that have rejected the Kyoto Protocol, the US and Australia, back into the multilateral process. Stockholm Convention on POPs supports Green Star Position The Green Star environmental rating scheme has been recognised as the only widely available green building rating system in the world to conform to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

	Green Star Networking Events in SA and WA Members and invited guests had the opportunity to meet local green building professionals when the Green Building Council held networking events in Perth and Adelaide two weeks ago. A very special thanks to Bovis Lend Lease whose sponsorship enabled the Council to hold a very successful networking event in Adelaide. If you are interested in staying connected with people you met at the drinks contact Trudy-Anne King TKing@woodhead.com.au in Adelaide or Dominic Snellgrove dominic.snellgrove@ccnarchitects.biz in Perth. First Batch of Accredited Professionals Congratulations to the first sixteen Green Star Accredited Professionals. To become an Accredited Professional, candidates must attend the Green Star Accredited Professional course and pass the exam. All Accredited Professionals are now listed Green Building Council website.

	Resources Fact Sheets and Publications - Recent additions: Sustainability: Adding Value to Investa Property Group Investa Property Group (IPG) is distinguishing itself as a market leader in sustainability. IPG is now aiming to integrate sustainability practices within their organisation by developing a framework to link its sustainability activities with its business goals and strategic direction. Read about how IPG is developing its sustainabilty framework. Green Building Council Submission - National Framework For Energy Efficiency The Green Building Council's submission on the National Framework for Energy Efficiency - Issues & Challenges was prepared by its Advocacy Committee.

Green Star Course
Date: 5/5/04
Location: Canberra

Increase your undertanding of green building practices and learn how to use the Green Star-Office Design rating tool for commercial buildings.

Green Buildings Conference
Date: 23/4/04
Location: Sydney

This two day conference will focus on how to improve efficiency, reduce water usage and minimise waste in existing commercial buildings.

Saving Watts and Drops
Date: 29/4/04
Location: Sydney

Help your organisation to reduce energy and water costs, greenhouse gas pollution and put in place strategies that will ensure these savings are sustained.

Launch of the Australian National Centre for Sustainabilty
Date: 31/4/04
Location: Canberra

Hear Hunter Lovins speak at the launch of the National Centre for Sustainability.

Maintainance for Energy Efficiency
Date: 13/5/04
Location: Brisbane

Attend an AIRAH workshop on energy efficiency.