From the very beginning, Grocon targeted the maximum Green Star rating for the project. We collaborated to integrate sustainability best practice principles at all levels of the development; the 6-Star Green Star Communities rating we achieved is awarded to projects that promote well-connected, diverse, inclusive and healthy places that decrease environmental impact.
To achieve this, the project adopted several sustainable features, which included:
- Using green building design – e.g. orientation to maximise the climatic benefits
- Designing for Australia’s Liveable Housing Guidelines
- Incorporating the first “Changing Places” facility in Queensland
- Planting 136,420 new trees across the site
- Establishing a construction waste recycling target
- Re-establishing a natural creek and floodplain
- Adopting smart metering that aims to decrease energy and water consumption
Encouraging community prosperity
Alongside the 6-Star Green Star Communities rating, Parklands also obtained the maximum possible score for the criteria on innovation. The numerous innovative initiatives included:
- Partnering with the local community to raise funds for Southport Special School
- Including a “Changing Places” facility and accessible residential design
- Creating a Reconciliation Action Plan
- Supporting Indigenous Australian students through skills training
- Providing sustainability awareness/education centres on site that inform people about its sustainability features
Emily Low, WSP’s Associate Director – Sustainability says, “Parklands achieving a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating is a testament to the strength of the project team’s vision. The team sought to develop a community that reflects the history and culture associated with the site with strong embedded sustainability through design principles and governance. This vision has created a healthy, accessible and world-leading place, which encourages social and community prosperity.”
WSP provided the following services on this project: Building Services, Sustainability, Transport Planning, Rail, Traffic Modelling, Integrated Transport Systems and GIS. Having played a key role in every stage of the development of the Village, our teams became fully part of the project journey and gained an in-depth understanding of the Games' overarching vision
Third-party sustainability ratings
The project achieved a 6-Star Green Star Communities v0.2 PILOT rating (the maximum possible), an EnviroDevelopment Mixed Use 6-Leaf certification from the UDIA, and an average NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) rating of 6 or above.
Inclusivity and community engagement
A successful Reconciliation Action Plan and an Indigenous Participation Plan were established, as well as community partnerships with several local organizations including the Gold Coast School of Construction, Griffith University, Southport Special School and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Queensland.
The project team was recognized with the President’s Award, the Master Planned Development Award and the Consultants’ Excellence Award at the 2018 Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) Queensland Awards for Excellence.