Bligh opens “Australia’s best building”

Gold Coast: Acting Premier Anna Bligh today officially opened ‘Australia’s BestBuilding’ - the Rockcote Design Centre - at Nerang.

“This award winning centre proves that an environmentally sustainable design can be cutting edge architecture and a financially good business decision,” said Ms Bligh.

The Design Centre was awarded this year’s Presidents Award at the UDIA National Awards for Excellence.

It incorporates cost effective solutions for power, water and waste management. The building is virtually self sufficient in all three.

Ms Bligh said that sustainable development in Queensland is a growing industry worth about $1.3 billion and directly employing over 10,000 people.

“It’s no secret that sustainable development is the way of the future.

“Rockcote has, in the past 20 years, grown to become an Australian leader in architectural texture coatings, paints and coating systems.

“But not content just to be a profitable manufacturer, it has set itself a goal of becoming the world’s first fully sustainable and regenerative company by 2016.

“Rockcote’s new building will require minimal water from Council. It also reduces energy consumption by 80% and provides electricity back to the local grid,” she said.

“But it is much more than a showcase of corporate responsibility. It is also a sales centre for the ideas, products, processes and materials that have gone into creating it.

“Whatever customers see here, they can have in their homes, or commercial buildings.

“This is an insight into the future for architects, designers, builders and home-owners,” she said.

Bob Cameron, Rockcote Managing Director said he hoped the Centre would encourage other companies to adopt similar environmentally friendly philosophies.

“Sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive - It looks great, it makes economic sense. The bottom line of green is black,” he said.

Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379