CAIRNS GOVERNMENT BUILDING TO SET NEW ENERGY STANDARDS
Published Tuesday, 22 July, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten today announced the Department of Public Works had signed a letter of acceptance for contractor Laing O’Rourke to build a new $79.5 million Queensland Government office building in Cairns.
“The building will be constructed as stage two of the government office complex at William McCormack Place on Hartley Street and will feature the latest in innovative energy and efficient design,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Laing O’Rourke was the design consultant of this exciting project and the Department of Public Works is pleased to accept their Guaranteed Construction Sum offer for the construction stage.
“This building will provide approximately 9,500 square metres of government office accommodation.”
Mr Schwarten said that in 2003, stage one of William McCormack Place became the first commercial office building in Australia to be formally awarded a five-star energy rating under the Australian Greenhouse Building Rating Scheme.
“But stage two of the project will be targeted at achieving a five-star, Green Star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme,” he said.
“This will set an even higher environmental standard in building design, construction and interior fitout and establish a new benchmark for government buildings across Queensland.”
Key environmental features of the new building will include:
• smart architectural design to minimize the building’s exposure to the sun, but also maximum use of natural light in office areas, complemented by energy-efficient lighting systems
• energy-efficient air-conditioning and use of off-peak electrical supplies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
• capitalising on water-saving opportunities through the capture and treatment of rain water and grey water for use in toilet flushing and garden irrigation, and the use of water-efficient fixtures in the building.
Mr Schwarten said the increasing need for government services in Cairns, combined with the tight property market, had resulted in government also committing to leasing commercial office space in the new Citi Central building, Spence Street.
“This balanced approach will enable government services for Cairns to be well delivered into the future,” he said.
William McCormack Place, named in honour of a former Premier, was officially opened in September 2002.
Construction on stage two of William McCormack Place is expected start later this month and is scheduled for completion in September 2010.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
“The building will be constructed as stage two of the government office complex at William McCormack Place on Hartley Street and will feature the latest in innovative energy and efficient design,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Laing O’Rourke was the design consultant of this exciting project and the Department of Public Works is pleased to accept their Guaranteed Construction Sum offer for the construction stage.
“This building will provide approximately 9,500 square metres of government office accommodation.”
Mr Schwarten said that in 2003, stage one of William McCormack Place became the first commercial office building in Australia to be formally awarded a five-star energy rating under the Australian Greenhouse Building Rating Scheme.
“But stage two of the project will be targeted at achieving a five-star, Green Star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme,” he said.
“This will set an even higher environmental standard in building design, construction and interior fitout and establish a new benchmark for government buildings across Queensland.”
Key environmental features of the new building will include:
• smart architectural design to minimize the building’s exposure to the sun, but also maximum use of natural light in office areas, complemented by energy-efficient lighting systems
• energy-efficient air-conditioning and use of off-peak electrical supplies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
• capitalising on water-saving opportunities through the capture and treatment of rain water and grey water for use in toilet flushing and garden irrigation, and the use of water-efficient fixtures in the building.
Mr Schwarten said the increasing need for government services in Cairns, combined with the tight property market, had resulted in government also committing to leasing commercial office space in the new Citi Central building, Spence Street.
“This balanced approach will enable government services for Cairns to be well delivered into the future,” he said.
William McCormack Place, named in honour of a former Premier, was officially opened in September 2002.
Construction on stage two of William McCormack Place is expected start later this month and is scheduled for completion in September 2010.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832