GUIDE FOR GREENER COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

15/06/2005 - A one-stop Internet information service providing advice on the construction of environmentally friendly buildings is being developed by the building and construction industry with the help of $1000,000 of Federal Government funding.
Aimed at commercial property builders, designers, owners and managers, the three-year Your Building project was announced today by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell.
Senator Campbell said project would involve the development of a public access website to provide a guide to understanding the environmental and economic impacts of commercial buildings and highlight the technologies, design features and benefits of sustainable buildings.
"Environmentally sustainable buildings are better designed buildings. They are not only more comfortable to work in, they use fewer resources such as water and energy, they have better indoor air quality and have less impact on the environment in the short and long term,” he said.
"Commercial buildings are a major component of our towns and cities and many of us spend most of our working lives in them. They also play a significant role in the productivity and competitiveness of Australian business and Australia’s economy.
"It makes good economic, social and environmental sense to ensure these buildings are designed, constructed and managed in an environmentally sustainable manner.”
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation will develop the Your Building reference guide over the next few years.
"The Your Building guide will be prepared by industry for industry in conjunction with the Australian Government,” Senator Campbell said.
"This is a valuable partnership that will help us make gains in air quality levels, water conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and in ensuring our built environment is energy efficient and sustainable in the longer term.”
The project is also supported by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council.