The Best Recipe For Creating Sustainable Business Parks

By Reini Otter

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.

Martin Brower industrial facility.

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.
Case Study - Martin Bower's Industrial Facility
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.

Martin Brower industrial facility.

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.
Key sustainability feature

• Ammonia industrial refrigeration system.

• On-site power is generated utilising a roof mounted 777kW solar PV system.

• 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.

• Office lights are equipped with interlinked “organic-response” sensors that have light and movement sensing capabilities which anticipate the required illumination levels.

• Rainwater harvesting with total on site collection capacity of 550,000 litres for re-use within the refrigeration systems, toilets, irrigation and truck wash.

• "Variable frequency drives" which allow exact matching of capacity to prevailing heat loads.

• Passive heating through the main office in the winter and large external shading devices minimise summer sun.

• Low VOC materials and low formaldehyde wood products throughout the facility.

• Large windows with natural light increases staff alertness and visual respite for staff.

Martin Brower industrial facility.

The future of 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.

Reini Otter is the Executive General Manager for Commercial and Industrial at Frasers Property Australia.