Major retail centre undergoes greening project

Shopping destination Westfield Sydney has achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating under the Retail Centre v1 category, representing ‘Australian Excellence’ in sustainable design according to the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

GBCA awarded the credentials to Westfield Sydney in light of its vision and leadership in the sustainable retail space. The project involved installing a number of green features including a recycled water treatment system and a trigeneration system, which is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent compared with a traditional shopping centre of a similar size.

The project team also recycled more than 90 percent of waste generated during the construction process.

“Westfield Group aspired to deliver a sustainable world-class retail shopping centre in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Through concept design to practical completion, the project team ensured that they delivered on the environmentally sustainable vision for the Westfield Sydney retail precinct,” said Robert Jordan, managing director Westfield Group Australia and New Zealand.

GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew said Westfield was also instrumental in its contribution to the rating system for retail developments.

“Recognising that the retail sector is one of the largest consumers of energy and water, Westfield has been a supportive member of the Green Building Council of Australia for some time, and worked with us to develop the pilot rating tool for shopping centres,” she said. “The Green Star rating for Westfield Sydney is the culmination of many years of hard work and collaboration between our organisations.”

Madew said she hopes other retail precincts will follow Westfield’s example. “We look forward to seeing the benchmarks set by Westfield Sydney integrated into many other shopping centre projects throughout Australia.”