Green Star rating
6 Star Green Star — Interiors v1.3
Location
Meanjin
Queensland
Completion
March 2024
Type
Commercial
Owner
DCCEEW
Acoustic consultant:
NDY
Architect:
PVH
Building services engineer:
NDY
ESD consultant:
JLL
Project manager:
JLL
6 Star Green Star — Interiors v1.3
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) 6 Star Green Star Interiors office in Meanjin, Brisbane, demonstrates how sustainable design, circularity and workplace wellbeing can be delivered at scale within the public sector.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) 6 Star Green Star Interiors office in Meanjin, Brisbane, demonstrates how sustainable design, circularity and workplace wellbeing can be delivered at scale within the public sector.
Responsible for driving Australia’s action on climate change, energy transformation and environmental protection, DCCEEW recognised the importance of leading by example.
Alongside JLL and architecture firm Peckvonhartel, the project team undertook a sustainable office fitout in 2024.
“A key challenge was to strategically prioritise leasing and capital works to establish a new office portfolio aligned with the APS Net Zero by 2030 commitments. Integrating sustainability considerations across the entire office lifecycle, from initial leasing decisions to design, construction and end-of-life planning, was paramount. This involved not only meeting ambitious targets but also showcasing the feasibility and practicality of such an undertaking, providing a clear pathway for others to follow,” said Janet Shelley, Director Sustainability.
Goals and credits targeted
When approaching a challenge of this nature, there are always design non-negotiables to consider, and for DCCEEW these included design elements that support flexible working spaces that are sustainable, healthy and appealing for staff. Another non-negotiable was design that reflect departmental values and a commitment to emissions reduction, circularity, reducing hazardous materials, and utilising rating systems such as Green Star.
These design non-negotiables were met through targeting the following key rating tool credits.
Management
The team installed submeters and connected to the base building BMS, which resulted in an energy use intensity of 148.76 MJ/m², approximately 60% lower than the Australian office average (369 MJ/m² in 2021). They also implemented a construction waste management plan, which led to the re-use of materials and a 16% reduction in upfront carbon emissions.
Indoor Environment Quality
The office design includes well-lit spaces that provide a high degree of comfort for staff. Ultra-low VOC paints and indoor plants reduce air pollutants, a high level of thermal comfort is achieved through mechanically ventilated spaces and a Green Star rated base building, and ergonomic equipment provides staff comfort while helping to avoid work-related injuries.
Energy
All appliances have sufficient Energy Star ratings, while office lighting needs are met through daylight and occupancy controls that lower the tenancy’s energy use intensity.
Materials
Re-use of materials such as office chairs, and materials that are third-party certified by GECA and GreenTag eco-labelling (e.g. low carbon carpet).
Innovation
Innovative steps included air quality monitoring (temperature, CO₂, VOC, PM) to ensure a comfortable office environment for staff, a DCCEEW Reconciliation Action Plan, and financial transparency of the Green Star rated fitout.
Challenges
Finding the balance between needs and ambition was a challenge the team faced while working at the Brisbane site. The site was simultaneously undergoing assessment to achieve a WELL rating, which occasionally contradicted broader departmental sustainability ambitions, such as lighting requirements and the addition of water coolers, as well as GBCA standards. A balance needed to be found.
Retrospective adjustments to leases to meet Green Star requirements also proved challenging for the project team. Knowing at the site selection stage that a Green Star Interiors rating was to be achieved would have streamlined this process.
“The ambitious target of achieving a Green Star Interiors rating across six DCCEEW offices has tested how we can apply sustainability across all aspects of property management, including leasing, capital works and facilities management decisions. Our delivery and strategic initiatives have aligned with Australian Government policies, including decarbonisation goals and pathway setting, and sustainability data management and reporting, said Shelley.
Sustainable features:
- 20,000 litres of water are saved annually thanks to water-efficient WELS-labelled fixtures and appliances
- Environmentally friendly and low-toxicity products sourced with carbon disclosure and recycled content, third-party certified by GECA and GreenTag eco-labelling (e.g. low carbon carpet)
- Segregated waste bins
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) exceeding efficient air conditioning units with high-grade air filtration and Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) refrigerants
- LED efficient lighting with LPD limits, daylight and occupancy control
- Submetering of lighting and power to the tenancy
- Wellbeing enhanced with adjustable workstations, indoor planting and circadian rhythm lighting
Embracing circularity
The team behind DCCEEW’s Green Star fitouts has embraced circularity throughout the projects, highlighting benefits such as reduced upfront carbon emissions, reduced waste through re-use, and enhanced reputation from leading by example.
“Our Construction Waste Management Plan ensured that the maximum recycled material content for this project was saved, with 88.5% of construction waste (10.9 tonnes) recycled through authorised waste recyclers,” said Janet Shelley, Director Sustainability.
The team’s initiative had flow-on effects, with circularity embraced in other large-scale projects. DCCEEW is currently undertaking other capital works projects where 108 tonnes of building materials were recycled (92% of waste generated for one project), and 53 tonnes of building materials were recycled (50% of waste generated) for another project.
“The work on this project is an example of how, by leading by example, you can create change at a greater scale. The promotion of re-use in our Green Star projects led to the department creating GovTree, an online marketplace forum for government agencies to exchange unwanted assets such as furniture, in keeping with relevant public service rules,” explained Janet Shelley, Director Sustainaability.
Impact on people
DCCEEW placed strong emphasis on occupant wellness when carrying out these projects. Improving indoor environmental quality was paramount, encompassing factors such as air quality, acoustics, lighting and thermal comfort. Optimising these elements was intended to create a healthier, more productive and engaging work environment for all staff.
Staff satisfaction was assessed through aligned questions in existing surveys, including the APS Census, the annual Health and Wellbeing Survey, and Head of Site surveys. Pre- and post-move survey results demonstrate the strategy’s success, with increased workforce satisfaction scores for indoor environmental quality (air, water, light, sound and thermal comfort), productivity and engagement.
“We were very happy to discover that, on average, 65% of people agreed or strongly agreed that the changes had a positive impact on workplace experience,” noted Shelley.
The takeaway
Early and continuous engagement with key stakeholders during the strategy and design phases was crucial for obtaining necessary endorsements and approvals, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and fostering a sense of shared ownership. This collaborative approach enabled the project to overcome obstacles and maximise its impact while staying on track.
“My advice would be to get your sustainability team involved at the design stage to ensure all Green Star requirements are incorporated. Knowledge of the Green Star Interiors rating early on, preferably before site selection, will streamline and strengthen the process and avoid costly and time-consuming retrospective adjustments,” explains Shelley.
DCCEEW has now established offices in Brisbane and Sydney with a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating, with the Melbourne office on track to receive a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating. And a further three offices in Adelaide, Perth and Darwin are under design or construction and are targeting a Green Star rating. This growing portfolio reflects DCCEEW’s ambition to embed sustainability and workplace wellbeing consistently across its offices nationwide.
“DCCEEW strives to exemplify our values in everything we do and inspire staff to feel a sense of pride and achievement that comes from working in an agency that is not only taking ambitious action on climate change but strives to be a leader in the APS. The Green Star Interiors rating from the Green Building Council of Australia demonstrates our commitment to deliver high-performing State and Territory offices that support our people and minimises environmental impact,” said Shelley.