Property Developer Stockland has won the inaugural national award for office energy efficiency after reducing carbon emissions by 800 tonnes a year and saving $90,000 in energy bills through the CitySwitch program.
Stockland was awarded the national prize ahead of runners-up Energetics in Melbourne and Cameron Chisholm Nicol in Perth, which both achieved considerable savings through innovative energy efficiency initiatives and extensive staff engagement.
The national winner in the CitySwitch program, which was started in 2006 by City of Sydney Council and launched nationally in 2008, was selected from the state winners as judged by representatives from the Green Building Council of Australia, the Property Council of Australia and CitySwitch.
Stockland’s general manager for corporate responsibility and sustainability Siobhan Toohill was presented the inaugural CitySwitch signatory of the year award at Stockland’s Sydney office in Castlereagh Street by City of Sydney chief executive Monica Barone.
“Stockland has placed a strong emphasis on both leading building management practices as well as trialling emerging technology towards reducing their carbon emissions,” Ms Toohill said.
Stockland achieved a top 5 star NABERS Energy tenancy rating for its Sydney head office through initiatives such as sub-metering to monitor energy use, motion sensors for lighting, energy efficient appliances, replacement of all energy-intensive CRT monitors with flat screen LCDs, timed airconditioning switches in all meeting rooms and extensive staff engagement.
Judges said in a media statement that this year’s CitySwitch National Awards acknowledged leading signatories from each state who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a high level of environmental leadership and action.
“Stockland was undoubtedly a green market leader which clearly demonstrated innovation, a dedicated commitment to the pursuit of office energy efficiency and an ability to find creative solutions,” judges said.
“Energy efficiency is becoming a key competitive driver in the commercial office market as electricity prices continue to rise and the government prepares to put a price on carbon pollution.”
Organisations that become CitySwitch Signatories commit to achieving an accredited 4 stars or higher NABERS Energy rating for their tenancy or whole building. The current Australian market average 2.5 stars.
