An indoor aquatic centre has been awarded the highest rating for sustainable design, a Six-Star Green Star design score, making it a first for Australia; with features such as a heat pump system powered by solar power contributing to a power reduction of up to 65 per cent compared to traditional aquatic centres.
The Green Building Council of Australia, the Australian authority on sustainable design, has given the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre its highest design score, a 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built v1.2 rating.
This would make it the first indoor aquatic centre in Australia to achieve a six star rating.
These top ratings are given to projects that showcase world leadership in environmentally sustainable building practices.
The centre is currently under construction in Keilor Downs and set to be completed in mid 2022.
Brimbank City Council Mayor, Councillor Jasmine Nguyen, said, “We are thrilled that Brimbank’s state-of-the-art centre has been formally recognised for its world-leading sustainability features.
“However, we are not surprised because an incredible amount of work has been undertaken to create something very special for our community.
“Not only will this centre showcase world-best practice in sustainable design, it will also deliver first-class aquatic facilities and a unique and innovative approach to providing preventative health, education and social services, all under the one roof.
“Brimbank City Council is committed to addressing the climate emergency in June 2019, and projects like this are an important step towards our net zero emissions target for our whole municipality by 2040.”
With only 16 buildings in Victoria earning the six-star design rating, it is an acknowledgement of Brimbank City Council’s commitment to breaking new ground to deliver a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing hub, using world-best sustainable design.
Its sustainability features include:
- The first all-electric aquatic centre in Australia, cutting energy use by up to 65 per cent compared to traditional aquatic centres
- An 88 thousand litre hot water storage system that acts as a big ‘thermal battery’, and 500kW of solar panels
- When the rooftop solar panels are generating power this will power the heat pump system to heat and cool the centre
- Any additional electricity needed will be purchased through a 100 per cent renewable energy power purchase agreement
