Westpac's Barangaroo offices awarded highest green-star rating

Its sustainable design features include an extensive metering system that monitors major energy and water usage, and construction materials with lower environmental impact such as 95 per cent reused, recycled, certified or best practice timber and PVC.

The entire Tower Two building has been given a 6-star Green Star rating for sustainability which is the highest rating achievable.

It’s so far been a good week for Lendlease’s three International Towers at Barangaroo, which were named in the shortlist for the ‘world’s best tall building‘.

In May 2016 St George’s office fit-out – also in Tower Two – became the first retail fit-out and first bank to be given the 6-star ranking.

Westpac received maximum Green Star points for reduced water consumption, reduced dependency on private transport, minimising harm and enhancing the quality of local ecologies. Photo: Supplied.

According to the GBCA, its Green Star rating system “is an internationally recognised sustainability rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit-outs and communities”.

The GBCA’s chief executive, Romilly Madew, said Westpac was setting an example for other institutions on a global scale.

“The rating reflects Westpac’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

“This commitment is increasingly expected by investors and consumers alike – the latter increasingly looking for evidence that companies are walking the talk,” Ms Madew said in a press release.

John Harries, Westpac’s group general manager, operations, property and commercial services, said: “We are proud that we’ve been able to support the Barangaroo precinct’s goal of becoming Australia’s first carbon neutral community.”

“As well as reducing our environmental footprint, our emphasis has been on designing a workplace that provides flexibility and choice to help build an adaptable, health-conscious workforce,” Mr Harries said.

Green Star rankings are provided on an assessment across nine categories.

Westpac’s fit-out was awarded maximum points for reduced water consumption, reduced dependency on private transport, minimising harm and enhancing the quality of local ecologies and encouraging sustainability practices throughout the fit-out’s design, construction and operation.

Westpac is the anchor tenant of the tower and takes up 28 floors for its 6000 staff.

Westpac is the anchor tenant of the tower and takes up 28 floors for its 6000 staff and their other branded businesses, including St George.

Its facilities include two cafes, a wellness centre for massages and other spa treatments, lockers, bike storage and showers, a kitchen where regular cooking lessons are held and a barbecue area and outdoor terrace.

Not to mention the library, medical centre, a prayer room, a 200-seat auditorium and a concierge service.

Westpac Group’s head office at 275 Kent Street has also been awarded a 6-Star Green Star rating.

According to the GBCA – which is also based in International Tower Two – offices were getting greener and offices designed with sustainability in mind were more attractive to investors.

“The area of Green-Star certified space has almost doubled in the past two years, up 93 per cent from the end of 2015,” Ms Madew said in December 2017.

The GBCA certified 304 projects in 2017, taking the total of Green Star projects certified since the rating system was launched in 2003 to 1721.