Creating sustainable business parks
17 May 2018
Frasers Property:
Business parks represent a significant part of the
property industry
with millions of dollars invested either acquiring or upgrading them
every year. Owners and tenants are constantly seeking new sustainable
techniques to drive efficiencies, and hence significant
cost savings, to
future proof these developments.
IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY RATINGS
The focus for business park owners is to deliver direct and tangible
benefits to customers by reducing total occupancy costs and operating
expenses, whilst also improving the health and
wellbeing of employees.
From a business perspective, the ongoing pursuit of improvement in
sustainability ratings for facilities demonstrates a commitment to
market leadership. This approach is critical to future proofing
facilities so they continue to deliver value and remain competitive.
Everyone now lives and operates in a carbon constrained economy and
buildings are a significant contributor to greenhouse
gas
emissions. Reducing each building’s carbon footprint assists not
just in alleviating further stress on the
environment but also to improve the financial bottom line.
STRIVING FOR GREEN STARS
Over the past couple of years, there has been a strong industry focus on
increasing Green Star ratings in facilities to achieve superior results
for clients. Since the introduction of the Green Star approach,
customers have firmly embraced the concept. This approach has also
helped companies further align their values with customers to
demonstrate a shared commitment to common goals.
Most new institutional grade industrial business park facilities across
Australia are rated 4 Star, however very little thought is given to
customer benefits. A standard 15,000 – 20,000 square metre 4 Star rated
facility is expected to deliver annual average savings between $1.50 -
$1.75 per square metre when compared with a standard Building Council of
Australia compliant building. By investing in targeted initiatives and
technology to achieve a 6 Star rating, these savings could be
increased by approximately 165 per cent over a 10 year term. In some
cases, the adopted initiatives can deliver a cash flow positive result
for the occupant from year one.
MARTIN BROWER’S INDUSTRIAL FACILITY LEADS THE WAY
The implementation of the highest level of certification, can yield
significant benefits including energy and
water cost savings. Over the years, it has become clear that the way
to ensure the longevity of facilities is to structure the outcome to
benefit the consumer. The enhanced productivity of staff working in a
space that promotes good design and environmental attributes is also a
significant tangible benefit.
Logistics services provider, Martin Brower is one of the first companies
in Australia to achieve outstanding environmental credentials for its
new $30 million industrial facility – a 6 Star
Green Star Design Review
rating from the
Green Building Council of Australia. It was specifically
designed to accommodate the needs of Martin Brower’s main client –
McDonalds. The facility in
Western
Sydney, developed by Frasers Property Australia redefines excellence
in the industrial space.
It is one of the most technologically advanced temperature controlled
storage and distribution facilities in Australia. A striking
architectural form has been achieved using quality materials and
finishes integrated with an absolute focus to improve supply chain
efficiencies.
SUSTAINABILITY FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Martin Brower’s facility represents world’s best practice and features
many sustainability inclusions. These include:
-
A state of the art ammonia industrial refrigeration system has been utilised which ensures future proofing of the system with both a global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero.
-
On-site power is generated utilising a roof mounted 777kW solar PV system and every aspect of the facility employs separate metering to enable fine tuning of each element for maximum efficiency. This information is collated and remotely accessible utilising a computer controlled energy monitoring programme that notifies of deviations from set energy use targets.
-
General light fittings are LED and are linked via multiple C-BUS controls. Warehouse lights have dual PE controls that monitor the available natural light and automatically react to maintain the required lux levels. Office lights are equipped with interlinked “organic-response” sensors that have light and movement sensing capabilities which anticipate the required illumination levels.
-
Outstanding water efficiency is achieved by harvesting rainwater with total on site collection capacity of 550,000 litres for re-use within the refrigeration systems, toilets, irrigation and truck wash. This has saved over $1,800 in the first six months of operation.
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Maximum efficiencies in the plant are achieved using variable frequency drives which allow exact matching of capacity to prevailing heat loads. The system is controlled via a central computer system which allows monitoring and operation from anywhere in the world via a computer or smartphone.
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The main office, oriented to the north with large windows allows passive heating in the winter and large external shading devices minimise summer sun. The double glazing ensures the fabric is high performance which improves the energy efficiency for the office.
-
The wellness of occupants is a central focus as reflected in the use of low VOC materials and low formaldehyde wood products throughout. Large windows with natural light increases staff alertness and visual respite for staff.
Martin Brower has significantly decreased its ongoing operational savings as a direct result of using state of the art energy and water efficiencies.
THE FUTURE IS SUSTAINABILITY
Each year the property industry continues to be one of the biggest
contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Influential
property developers seek to create a positive legacy in the communities
in which they develop. They have a responsibility to seek ways to
decrease their carbon footprint, reduce the overall impact of buildings
and to improve the health and wellbeing of those who use them. The
pursuit of sustainable excellence in buildings is underpinned by
intelligent future oriented thinking.
--ENDS--
Source: Frasers Property - www.frasersproperty.com.au
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