Minister Visits Cairns’ “Coolest Building”

The Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, saw first hand today how the Queensland Government is leading the way in minimising the impacts of climate change.

Mr McNamara visited the Environmental Protection Agency’s office at William McCormack Place, which incorporates the latest in innovative energy and efficient design.

“Commercial buildings typically use large amounts of electricity to provide adequate lighting, control the temperature and run office equipment such as computers, printers and photocopiers,” Mr McNamara said.

“This can cost thousands of dollars a year and be responsible for the production of tonnes of greenhouse gases from the power station generating the electricity.

“The new Cairns State Government building incorporates energy efficient design principles, and recently achieved a five-star rating under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme.

“This makes it the most energy efficient building in Queensland, and a benchmark for all new government buildings.”

The climate change-friendly features of the building include:

• smart design to minimise the building’s exposure to sun during the hottest part of the day, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas-producing air-conditioning required.
• the design maximises natural light to complement the energy efficient lighting system, which incorporates fewer, more efficient lights than normal, and uses computerised controls to turn off lights when rooms are empty.
• the air-conditioning plant includes a large, chilled water-storage vessel that allows the chillers to operate at peak efficiency and then switch off while the system draws cool air from the chilled water storage.
• the air-conditioning system also has a rotary heat exchanger which uses the cooler air exhausted from the building to help cool the air drawn into the system from outside.
• a back-up power supply is typical for most large office buildings, but the generator in the new Sheridan Street building takes the extra step of recovering and using any electricity or heat generated that would normally be wasted.
• During design and construction, recycled, reusable and easily replaceable materials and components were incorporated whenever possible.

Mr McNamara said a recent report from the Centre for International Economics found that almost a quarter of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are a result of energy demand in buildings.

“Emissions from commercial buildings are expected to double from 1990 levels by 2010,” Mr McNamara said.

“Inefficient buildings will suffer a competitive disadvantage in the coming years as tenants look for buildings which are better designed, where their staff can be more comfortable and productive, and that cost less to operate.

“21st century society needs buildings built and retrofitted to minimise the impacts of climate change, and to improve their value and productivity.

In doing so, building owners will help meet the challenge of reducing the impacts of climate change, and make the built environment more energy and water efficient, and people-friendly.”

Media contact – Peter McCarthy 3336 8004