Two towers at Walker Corporation’s Paramatta Square precinct have been awarded 6 Star Green Star ratings.
Walker Corporation Executive Chairman, Lang Walker, said the vision for the $3.2 billion development has sustainability at its core.
“The awarding of the 6 Star ratings is an important statement for major corporates seeking state-of-the-art environmental features combined with cost-effective, premium-grade office space with fast transport at the doorstep,” Mr Walker said.
“Parramatta Square is an example of our commitment to collaboratively deliver vibrant office and public spaces, as well as a range of amenities, both for the 30,000 workers who will be working every day in Parramatta Square on completion as well as the entire western Sydney community.”
The 70,000 square metre 4 Parramatta Square is now the first and only building in Parramatta to achieve a 6 Star Green Star – Interiors rating as well as a 6 Star Green Star – As Built rating. The result provides not only carbon emissions reductions, but also increases comfort and wellbeing benefits to the 5,500 government workers housed in the tower, at capacity.
NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, said he was impressed by the methods used to reduce waste during the construction phase.
“This project at Parramatta Square was able to achieve an astonishing 92 per cent recycling rate across all construction and demolition waste which was taken to a state-of-the-art materials recovery facility,” Minister Kean said.
“I’m really focused on the ways we can get commercial buildings to replicate the low waste of residential construction and Walker Corporation’s Parramatta Square towers are excellent examples of this.”
Forming part of Australia’s largest current urban renewal project, 3 and 4 Parramatta Square achieved the ratings through their energy efficiency, low emissions, strong public transport links, materials selection, technology and innovation.
4 Parramatta Square anchor tenant, the NSW Government, specifically sought modern, sustainable, A-grade office space in Parramatta with market-leading sustainability design, when first going to market four years ago.
Property & Development NSW Deputy Secretary, Leon Walker, said they selected Walker Corporation to deliver the lease commitment due to its demonstrable ability to meet those requirements – including a custom 99-kilowatt solar array on the roof to drive energy reduction targets for government tenants.
“4 Parramatta Square exceeded expectations as a state-of-the-art, dynamic and flexible workplace with cutting-edge environmentally sustainable design,” Mr Walker said.
“We are delighted to see the office tower and interior workplace recognised as world-leading in sustainability.”
On top of the excellent Green results, 4 Parramatta Square has also just achieved outstanding NABERS ratings with 5.5 stars for Base Building Energy and 5 stars for Water. NABERS measures the energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and indoor environment quality of a building or tenancy and its impact on the environment.
Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) CEO, Davina Rooney, said Parramatta Square is an example of world leadership in design and construction.
“This project goes beyond sustainability benchmarks and caters to a modern workforce by considering resilience, people and their health,” said Ms Rooney.
The ratings follow the 2020 Award for Excellence in Commercial Development, presented by the Urban Development Institute of Australia, as well as the 2020 Development of the Year, presented by the Urban Taskforce Australia.
Parramatta Square’s underground and above ground pedestrian malls now link the railway stations and northern zones of the CBD and serve approximately 40,000 people a day.
On completion next year, Parramatta Square will be one of the best-connected workplaces in Sydney with the Parramatta Square train link and the future construction of the Parramatta Light Rail and the Western Sydney Metro within 100 metres, cutting travel times for workers and their families.
Furthermore, upon completion, 6&8 Parramatta Square combined will be Australia’s largest commercial office tower in the country, which Walker has designed and registered to a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating, and due for completion in 2021 and 2022 respectively.