Brisbane-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co Developments</a> has officially launched its $250million COMO apartment development in Varsity Lakes, while simultaneously commencing construction.&nbsp;

Building work is now underway at COMO following the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/5point-projects">5Point Projects</a> as contractor to deliver the boutique development which will rise on a 2857 sqm site overlooking Lake Orr at 22 Lake Street.

When completed, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO</a> will comprise 156 apartments across 16 levels located in the heart of Varsity Lakes.

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The project, which will sit alongside Bond University, will deliver a diverse array of apartment designs comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom residences that have already attracted interest from local and interstate investors as well as an array of owner occupiers looking to gain a foothold in the precinct.

Red &amp; Co, which has largely focused on the Brisbane market in recent years where it has delivered more than 500 apartments and townhouses across 26 projects, has designed COMO to combine tranquil, lakeside living with the vibrant urban convenience of the vibrant Varsity Lakes village.

“We’re thrilled to announce a start to construction of COMO in conjunction with the official launch of the project, our first for the Gold Coast,” said Red &amp; Co Director and Co-Founder David Laverty.

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“COMO is superbly positioned to capture the essence of the Varsity Lakes village lifestyle and its thriving café and dining precinct, while delivering a much-needed diverse supply of premium residences for the local market.

“Pre-launch inquiries have been strong among both local and interstate investors and owner-occupiers, including downsizers and upgraders who appreciate the value proposition that COMO represents.”

Prices at COMO start from $1,000,050.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, the COMO development incorporates an extensive range of amenities for residents including a 25-metre rooftop lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, as well as multiple rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts, a wellness and activity centre, gym, sauna, plunge baths and landscaped gardens.

“COMO presents a rare opportunity to secure a stylish, lifestyle-focused home in one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after neighbourhoods,” added Laverty.

“The rooftop will be the epicentre of fun for residents with an array of amenities for residents that are quite unique for a boutique project such as this, all while offering spectacular vistas across the Gold Coast as far north as Southport and south to Burleigh.”

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&nbsp;

Red &amp; Co has chosen the Varsity Lakes site for its proximity to top-tier schools, major shopping hubs, such as Robina Town Centre and its CBD offering, as well as key Gold Coast transport links, including Varsity Lakes Train Station.

COMO will be located just a short walk to shops, cafes and restaurants in Varsity Lakes and just a 10-minute drive to the Burleigh Heads beachfront.

With construction currently underway, Red &amp; Co anticipates COMO will be completed in 2028.

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Joel Robinson

Red & Co to launch debut Gold Coast development Como Varsity Lakes as construction commences

Longstanding Gold Coast developer Raptis has acquired a prime development site on Surf Parade for its next Broadbeach apartment project.

Progressing towards completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-sterling-broadbeach-6-8-george-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Sterling Broadbeach</a>, 90 apartments on nearby George Avenue, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/raptis">Raptis</a>, led by second-generation family man Evan Raptis, has picked up a block on the corner of Surf Parade and First Avenue.

The site had been earmarked for a luxury apartment project with 33 full-floor apartments across a 37-storey tower. Raptis will go back to the drawing board and create a building more appropriate for the site. The development application will be lodged later this month.

Evan Raptis told Apartments.com.au the site ticks all the boxes.

"Broadbeach is a suburb we've developed several buildings over the years. Surf Parade ticks all the boxes for the type of apartment development we want to deliver."

Raptis had several pre-lodgement meetings with council to ensure they are aligned in the development.

<img alt="Raptis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0d58573-07a4-47a8-9f5e-fbf35fb03dc3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-05%20at%204.58.23%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iczZEd_4_o4UL0PHMPJGfy_q3tv96J5i" />

Surf Parade has emerged in recent years as one of the most popular streets in Broadbeach for development.

South East Queensland developer Mosaic Property Group kicked it off with Marella by Mosaic. Bassar Group sold out Infinity on the street, while for its&nbsp;first Gold Coast development, Polycell grabbed a Surf Parade site for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-rochester-broadbeach-143-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Rochester</a>, which is nearly sold out.

Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched its fourth Gold Coast project on the exclusive strip. The Eveleigh Broadbeach will have 100 apartments across a 31-storey building designed by Rothelowman.

GV Property Group site development specialists Antonio Mercuri and Luke Reaby, who both amalgamate sites and sell shovel-ready sites to developers up and down the Gold Coast, sold Surf Parade to Raptis.

Raptis secures prime Surf Parade site for next Broadbeach apartment development

Less than two years after breaking ground, Gardner Vaughan Group is celebrating the topping out of Bask, its second development in the exclusive coastal enclave of Bokarina on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.&nbsp;

Located only minutes from the beachfront, the two seven-storey luxury apartment towers, known individually as Mydas and Caretta, offer a selection of one-to-four-bedroom residences with views of Lake Kawana, the Glasshouse Mountains, and Bokarina Beach.&nbsp;

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Gardner Vaughan Group Commercial Director Sam Gardner said the milestone marks the home stretch for construction, with first residents expected to be able to move in from Spring 2026.&nbsp;

“This is a significant milestone in bringing this development to life and represents our confidence in this region’s long-term growth and appeal,” Gardner said.&nbsp;

“With 85 per cent of apartments already sold, buyers are joining an established, coastal village that offers the very best of the Sunshine Coast – seasonally patrolled surf beaches, renowned restaurants, and links to established health and retail.&nbsp;

“The final collection of three- and four- bedroom apartments range in size from 127sqm to 300sqm, each with two or three secure car parks and storage, and with construction fast approaching completion we don’t expect the last few apartments to remain on the market for long.”&nbsp;

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Local restaurateur Luke Stringer, who co-owns and manages the award-winning Bocca Italian and Playa Mexican restaurants in Bokarina, has lived in the beachside suburb for 18 months and worked there for more than three years, and said the beachside suburb was thriving.&nbsp;

“It’s fair to say Bokarina is finally stepping into the sun and there’s a lot to love about the place,"&nbsp;Stringer said.

"It’s such a great community, where you see the same smiling faces every morning and everything’s within easy reach – it’s the perfect hub in the middle of the Sunshine Coast.

“When we first opened Bocca Italian, we were the lone restaurant, but it’s been amazing to see how the area has grown. The more venues that open, the busier it gets for everyone. When Playa Mexican opened its first Saturday night, Bocca had a record night and Playa was packed too, which blew us away how everyone is thriving.&nbsp;

“There’s a great energy around the place now, and people are really embracing Bokarina as a food and lifestyle destination.”&nbsp;

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Stringer joined other buyers at Bask Bokarina and the Gardner Vaughan Group team to celebrate the topping out at a special event in February.&nbsp;

Located in Kawana Waters, midway between Caloundra and Maroochydore, Bokarina locals enjoy scenic walking paths around Lake Kawana, playgrounds, beachfront boardwalk and parklands, alongside all the convenience of a masterplanned beachside community.&nbsp;

“You see people jogging or swimming in the morning, then grabbing coffee at the cafes, people are really embracing the area and all this growth is bringing more people to Bokarina,” Stringer added.&nbsp;

To take advantage of the vistas, each of the 135 apartments at Bask is designed with full size windows and high ceilings that provide an abundance of natural light.&nbsp;

Prices for the remaining three-bedroom apartments start at $1,599,000 and four-bedroom apartments start at $3,149,000.&nbsp;

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The mixed-use development also features ground-level retail space for cafés, dining options and boutiques, including the soon-to-be-opened ‘Corner Shop’, by the team behind Noosa’s well known ‘Organika’.

Sam Gardner said Gardner Vaughan Group’s 37-year history building and developing across South East Queensland has contributed to the success of its second development in Bokarina, which follows the recently completed Zinc Apartments.&nbsp;

“We care how people live and this is reflected in the way we approach the design and delivery of every development,” he said. “Furthermore, as a builder-developer we have full control over the construction program and our 100 per cent completion rate is something people can draw confidence from.”&nbsp;

Founded by civil engineers Guy Gardner and Darryl Vaughan in 1989, the family-owned business has evolved from a consultancy firm to an award-winning builder-developer, with projects across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

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Gardner Vaughan Group tops out Bask Bokarina apartments

Prolific Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> has launched its fourth new Gold Coast development in as many years.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a>, led by Daniel Faigen and backed by Eddie Hirsch, co-founder of United Petroleum, has unveiled The Eveleigh, on a prime 1,100 sqm site at 7-9 Surf Parade in the heart of Broadbeach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a> will deliver 100 apartments across 31 levels, making it the company’s largest Gold Coast project to date. It builds on the success of its three earlier developments, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/hemingway-1267-1273-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach">The Hemingway in Palm Beach</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/emerson-kirra-100-musgrave-street-coolangatta">The Emerson at Kirra</a>, both completed, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yves-mermaid-beach-7-9-mermaid-avenue-mermaid-beach">Yves Mermaid Beach</a>, which is nearing completion.

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The announcement of The Eveleigh affirms the company’s sustained confidence in the Gold Coast market which continues to remain undersupplied. It also increases the value of Hirsch &amp; Fa​igen’s Gold Coast development portfolio to more than $700 million since the company first entered the market in 2021 with Hemingway.

The company has enlisted its preferred architecture firm Rothelowman to design The Eveleigh, which will offer a thoughtfully curated lifestyle, including a substantial wellness precinct, communal recreation areas, children’s play spaces, work-from-home facilities, and shared lounge and dining areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

Designed for the prime market demographic of downsizers and interstate lifestyle investors in mind, The Eveleigh has been crafted to offer an increasingly rare blend of affordable luxury in a tightly held market. Uniquely positioned in the heart of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after lifestyle suburb of Broadbeach, the project will also boast uninterrupted beach and hinterland views.

The Surf Parade site is just a short walk to the bustling Broadbeach dining and retail precinct, Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and convention centre, and an easy stroll to Kurrawa Beach and the recreational amenity of Pratten Park on the Broadbeach foreshore.

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“We’re excited to be proceeding with our fourth project on the Gold Coast in what is certain to become the new luxury precinct in Broadbeach,” says Anthony Bueti, the CFO of Hirsch &amp;a​mp; Faigen and a shareholder of the group.

“With the likes of Mosa​ic and Abedian &amp;a​mp; Co also launching quality projects in the area, the transformation will cement Broadbeach as the premier lifestyle and amenity suburb on the Gold Coast.

"After four years in the Gold Coast market, and with three successful projects completed, The Eveleigh is the product of everything we have learned to love about the Gold Coast and it will be an incredible addition to our growing portfolio in one of the most vibrant property markets in the country. We continue to remain very confident in the high-end Gold Coast property market.”

Urban Activation Director Matt George is handling sales for The Eveleigh, having sold out The Emerson, The Hemingway, and Yves, all before construction was completed.

Melbourne builder MAXCON has already commenced construction on The Eveleigh. They are forecasting a mid-2028 completion.

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Hirsch & Faigen unveils The Eveleigh in Broadbeach

Two years after securing development approval for the final stage of its award-winning Thornton Precinct on the doorstep of Penrith Station, Urban Property Group is set to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mayfair-on-penrith-172-lord-sheffield-circuit-penrith-nsw-2750">Mayfair on Penrith</a>, around 400 apartments designed to reflect two of Sydney’s most iconic structures.

The builder-developer has continued refining the design plans for the two-building development on a significant 8,280 sqm site on Sheffield Circuit, recognising the importance of the prime parcel as one of the closest developable sites to the station.

UPG enlisted architecture firm SJB to design the project. The team said they drew inspiration from both the General Post Office in Martin Place and East Circular Quay to help shape the design. The two-level colonnade, in particular, reflects the famous GPO building, which dates back to the 1860s.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136726 project_image_fid=362014]

There will be one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments on offer, with interiors by Cox Architecture. Residences will sit above a retail podium featuring hospitality and lifestyle operators such as One Playground and Volcano’s Steakhouse, contributing to an activated ground plane within the broader Thornton precinct.

A communal rooftop with a pool and views towards the Blue Mountains will provide shared open space for residents. The development is positioned between Ron Mulock Oval and Westfield Penrith, with the Nepean River and Great River Walk also nearby, placing daily amenity and green space within walking distance.

&nbsp;

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Mayfair is being delivered by Urban Property Group, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly 40 years’ experience across Sydney. The project will be the first in Penrith to be offered with Resilience Insurance’s 10-year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) policy, which Urban Property Group has adopted across a number of its recent developments. The developer also has a 4.5-star iCIRT rating, one of the best ratings in market providing further confidence to buyers.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said providing additional assurance to off-the-plan buyers has become increasingly important.

“Anything we can do to give confidence in our product is a plus,” Elias told Apartments.com.au.

“Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. They’re making their single large investment, which is their home, and providing confidence is something that we feel is paramount.”

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The LDI policy provides a 10-year warranty covering structural defects, with independent inspections carried out during construction and protection for owners if defects arise post-completion.

Mayfair represents Urban Property Group’s sixth and final development within Thornton, consolidating the masterplanned precinct immediately east of the station.

The developer, which builds its own projects, has already commenced construction. SRM Residential is handling the sales campaign.

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Urban Property Group to close the curtain on award-winning Thornton precinct with Mayfair on Penrith release

Green Star

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The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has achieved the highest number of Green Star certifications for a non-property organisation, reaching 30 certifications across its bank branches.
Commonwealth Bank became one of the first users of the Green Building Council of Australia’s Volume Certification Program, and since 2016 has certified 30 branches to a 5 star rating or above.
CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, Davina Rooney, said this significant achievement has helped to advance better design and construction outcomes throughout Australia.
“Commonwealth Bank was one of the first users of Green Star and one of the early adopters of our volume certification program,” Ms Rooney said.
“They have paved the way for other financial institutions, as well as industrial facilities, retail stores and restaurants to achieve volume Green Star certification across a number of projects.”
“Commonwealth Bank’s adoption of Green Star, along with their participation in the Global Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment puts the bank at the forefront of green leaders worldwide.”
Jennifer Saiz, Executive General Manager Group Property and Security, Commonwealth Bank, said: “We aim to drive positive change through good business practice and one way we achieve this is through our sustainable branches.
“We are proud to be the first Australian financial institution to achieve a 5 Star Green Star certification for our retail design standards and we are thrilled that 30 of our branches have now achieved Green Star certification,” Ms Saiz said.
Volume certification allows the certification of a group of projects sharing similar features.
Ms Rooney said more companies are choosing volume certifications as it enables elements of a design to be certified once and then replicated on future projects to achieve a Green Star rating.
“Volume certifications for Green Star are growing rapidly as more companies see the value in reducing costs, future-proofing assets, and helping more people enjoy the many benefits working in a Green Star environment,” Ms Rooney said.
Commonwealth Bank’s office fitouts and bank branches use low chemical paints, Forestry Standard certified timber and water-efficient fixtures and fittings. They have also seen energy cuts of 40 per cent compared with typical branches.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Commonwealth Bank leads the way in Green Star certifications

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Completed in April this year, 105 Phillip Street has achieved another significant milestone, becoming the 2,000th building in Australia to achieve Green Star certification from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Located in Parramatta, Charter Hall’s 12-storey commercial development achieved 6 Star – Green Star – Office As Built v3, making it a benchmark in sustainable commercial buildings in Australia and world-leading in its sustainability standard. 

Constructed by Built, developed and managed by Dexus, 105 Phillip Street is also the first and only 6 Star Green Star building in Parramatta. Bates Smart worked closely with engineering consultancy Wood and Grieve's ESD team on the design of the 25,000 sqm commercial building.

According to the GBCA, 105 Phillip Street demonstrates best-practice office design and execution, delivering a sustainable new headquarters and workplace for its tenants. It joins some of Australia’s most iconic buildings and precincts which have achieved Green Star certification, including the Sydney Opera House, Barangaroo, University of Melbourne and Curtin University, Sydney Airport and Melbourne Convention Centre.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/s11772_a_n253_print.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/s11772_a_n253_print.jpg?itok=or9wia6-" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>105 Phillip Street's exterior is a play on scale, appearing as a four storey building. Image Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>Located within a 5-10 minute walk from Parramatta's civic centre, Parramatta Transport Interchange and adjacent to the Parramatta Ferry Terminal, 105 Phillip Street excellent benefits from its accessibility to public transport and pedestrian links to the CBD. Built over an existing carpark, the building re-establishes a retail streetscape along Phillip St, enhancing the Parramatta CBD with retail and commercial functions which form an integral part of the public domain.

Bates Smart has expressed the building form as two horizontal elements; a 9-storey glazed office volume articulated as three horizontal bands, and a 'podium' comprising a masonry colonnade which anchors the building and provides a human scale to the streetscape. The design of the facade responds to the building's orientation, with vertical fins projecting from the façade providing shading to the north whilst vertical spandrels reduce thermal heat loading on the east and west facades. The colonnade creates a sheltered entry and relates to the scale of the adjacent buildings along Phillip Street, complemented by the use of masonry.

105 Phillip features generous 2,000 sqm floorplates, punctured by a series of atria to the north, allowing for light penetration into the tenancy and providing inter-tenancy connections between levels. A side core has been located to the south, creating an open office floors to the north and allowing for maximum flexibility for the fitout. 

A landscaped roof with an extensive outdoor terrace has been provided at the top of the tower overlooking Parramatta River. The terrace has been designed around employee wellbeing, offering a tranquil retreat away from the traffic below, whilst still in the heart of the CBD. A variety of uses have been catered for, including staff events, barbecues, yoga, and sporting activities on a multipurpose sports court.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/s11772_a_n24_print.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/s11772_a_n24_print.jpg?itok=KFiTCVow" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>105 Phillip Street's foyer. Image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
We are delighted to be recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia. This is a smart building that showcases how effective design can create positive contributions to achieve environmentally sustainable outcomes, thus improving the building’s overall efficiency.

Through its design, we have considered various innovations to improve the building’s overall efficiency, address water and energy conservation while encouraging its end-users to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Although a simple and understated design, 105 Phillip Street has achieved and exceeded many performance benchmarks for an office development. From the outset, the design to practical completion was achieved in 24 months.

- Basil Richardson, Studio Director, Bates Smart
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<blockquote>
This is a momentous achievement and shows how the value of sustainability in our built environment continues to go from strength-to-strength as the uptake of Green Star certification grows. Certifying our 2000th project is a milestone that demonstrates the sustained momentum Green Star has achieved in less than two decades of operation. 
To achieve a 6-Star Green Star certification is an amazing achievement and we congratulate the team behind 105 Phillip Street. Our vision is for healthy, resilient and positive places for people and the natural environment and it is through developments like this that this goal can be reached.

A Green Star rating is much more than a certificate or a logo – it showcases leadership in sustainability, creates brand value, encourages innovation, creates new revenue streams, secures stakeholder confidence and mitigates risk.

- Romilly Madew, GBCA CEO
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Laurence Dragomir

Parramatta's 105 Phillip Street becomes 2,000th building to achieve Green Star Certification

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The $2.9 billion redevelopment of the Brisbane Showgrounds has received the highest rating for master-planned precincts in Australia, demonstrating ‘World Leadership’ by achieving a 6 Star Green Star – Communities v1 certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
The Brisbane Showgrounds regeneration was assessed for its sustainability performances across five impact categories – Governance, Liveability, Economic Prosperity, Environment and Innovation – achieving a total rating of 77.7 points out of a possible 100 points.
Brisbane Showgrounds Project director Andrew Hay said the independent verification rating represents ‘best practice’ for a master-planned development in Australia, recognising Lendlease’s vision and commitment to sustainability.
“As the world’s population urbanises, there is a greater emphasis placed on the role of the built environment, including place, sustainability and community outcomes. People want to live and work in cities and precincts that are liveable, connected and accessible,” he said.
“Brisbane Showgrounds demonstrates each of these attributes, all of which have been independently verified by the GBCA.”
High scoring sustainable concepts include 25 King, the largest and tallest engineered timber office building in the world, recognition and integration of the cultural heritage of the site’s long history and commitment to education, skills and training.
"The Brisbane Showgrounds project exemplifies how sustainable design and construction continues to evolve, and how it challenges the industry to look for new ways to add social value,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew.
“Take Lendlease’s determination to preserve and enhance the significant heritage on the site as an example. This not only saves on demolition, waste to landfill and carbon emissions, but also delivers social benefits for all those who work, live in or visit the community.
“Other shared value initiatives on this project include Lendlease’s partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, which has delivered 14 discounted apartments for families with sick loved ones, and skills training for construction workers that highlights that sustainable buildings are good for the health and wellbeing of everyone – including those who build the community.”
Green Star – Communities is a nationally-adopted scheme designed to assess and certify the sustainability of large-scale master planned development projects.
The Brisbane Showgrounds precinct seamlessly combines commercial, residential and retail and is set to house to over 15,000 workers, customers and visitors by 2025. It is one of Brisbane’s most well connected and walkable neighbourhoods, a lively entertainment, retail and events quarter providing an inner-city lifestyle like no other.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Lendlease achieves world green star leadership at Brisbane Showgrounds

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GUEST OBSERVER
Owners and tenants are constantly seeking new ways to drive efficiencies and cost savings to future proof these parks and facilities. 
In 2016, Frasers Property Australia completed its first 6 Star Green Star business park facilities in Rhodes Corporate Park (NSW), Horsley Drive Business Park (NSW), Ceva Campus in Truganina (VIC) and Yatala Central Industrial Estate (QLD). These projects demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to environmental and financial outcomes utilising cutting-edge sustainability initiatives.
Adopting the Green Building Council of Australia ratings
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is an independent, voluntary sustainability rating system for Australian buildings. Its Green Star rating is Australia's highly respected standard of quality for the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings, fit outs and communities. Frasers Property has chosen this rating system to monitor its sustainability performance for its facilities as a direct result of the GBCA’s credibility within the property industry.
Further justification is the important role independent certification plays in the validation of sustainability outcomes. There is considerable dialogue about sustainability generally, however this is often not supported by credible third party validation. Green Star is Australia’s leading holistic rating tool for the property industry. 
Improving sustainability ratings
The focus for Frasers Property is to deliver direct and tangible benefits to customers by reducing total occupancy costs and operating expenses, whilst also improving the health and wellbeing of employees. From a business perspective, the ongoing pursuit of improvement in sustainability ratings for facilities demonstrates a commitment to market leadership.
This approach is critical to future proofing facilities so they continue to deliver value and remain competitive. Everyone now lives and operates in a carbon constrained economy and buildings are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing each building’s carbon footprint assists not just in alleviating further stress on the environment but also to improve the financial bottom line. 
Why is a 6 Green Star rating important? 
In 2015 Frasers Property committed to achieving a 5 Star rating for all of its facilities which has delivered considerable operational savings and health benefits for customers. However, there was a strong aspiration in the business to do more by pushing the boundaries of what a truly sustainable industrial development could be. 
Since the introduction of the Green Star approach, customers have firmly embraced the concept. This approach has also helped Frasers Property further align its values with its customers, with the shared commitment resulting in an even stronger bond between both. Further, the introduction of 6 Star was not only a considerable benefit to the environment but also provided enhanced financial benefits to customers as a direct result of reduced operating costs.
Frasers Property’s approach to improving the sustainability of facilities is driven by a desire to lower ongoing operating costs. Most new institutional grade business park facilities across Australia are rated 4 Star, however very little thought is given to customer benefits.  
A standard 15,000 – 20,000 sqm 4 Star rated facility is expected to deliver annual average savings between $1.50 – $1.75 p/sqm when compared with a standard Building Council of Australia compliant building. By investing in targeted initiatives and technology to achieve a 6 Star rating, these savings could be increased by approximately 165 per cent over a 10 year term. This rating can also deliver a cash flow positive result for the occupant from year one. Frasers Property works with customers in a variety of facilities from ambient warehouses and refrigerated cold stores to automated storage and retrieval systems to find a solution that best suits their long-term needs. 
Drivers sustaining 6 Star excellence
Frasers Property’s unrelenting focus is to be progressive and innovative to benefit both its customers and the communities in which it develops. In the pursuit of industry leading outcomes the intention is to initially educate the industry as to what is possible, and to then be the driver of that change.Beyond the choice it offers customers, this approach allows Frasers Property to benchmark not only what can be achieved but also how to improve. Green Star certification demonstrates that well designed assets can result in lower operating margins and provide future proofing against changes from a regulatory or utility cost perspective. 
In 2016 Frasers Property delivered approximately 280,000 sqm of industrial facilities across Australia. Forty three per cent achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating which recognises Australian Excellence in sustainable design, while the 57 per cent balance achieved 6 Star Green Star ratings. Significantly, this rating acknowledges World Leadership in sustainable design. 
Significant 6 Star benefits and features
The most significant benefits are the energy and water cost savings. Over the years, it has become clear that the way to ensure the longevity of facilities is to structure the outcome to benefit the consumer. The increased productivity of staff working in a space that promotes good design and environmental attributes is also a significant tangible benefit.  
The features of 6 Star facilities are many and varied. A representative selection includes:
•Solar panels as an energysource.
•Rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.
•Electric vehicle car charging points.
•Geothermal energy for heating and cooling the office.
•High efficiency LED high bay lighting with sensor technology to improve light quality, control and efficiency.
•Advanced lighting controls that use motion sensors and daylight harvesting.
•Lower toxicity materials and finishes.
•Increased fresh air flow at 50 per cent more than required by the Australian Standard.
•Glare control through blinds and shading devices.
Overall customers benefit by using considerably less energy. The remaining energy required can be purchased as 100 per cent green power.
Green Stars have a bright future
Each year the property industry continues to be one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Industry bodies like the Green Building Council of Australia play a crucial role in rating the country’s sustainable buildings. Influential property developers seek to create a legacy in the communities in which they develop. They have a responsibility to seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint, reduce the overall impact of buildings and to improve the health and wellbeing of those who use them. In the pursuit of excellence, intelligent thinking is required.
REINI OTTER is executive general manager at C&amp;I Frasers Property Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://www.frasersproperty.com.au/">here</a>.
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Six Star Green Star business parks are the future 

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GUEST OBSERVER
The latest updates to Green Star promise to accelerate action on climate change, incentivise new industries and encourage market leaders to push the innovation envelope, says the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). 
Among the proposed evolutions to Green Star, are: 
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  minimum requirements for greenhouse gas emissions for different star ratings 
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  measures to build industry capacity in air-tightness testing 
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  a new materials pathway to incentivise the use of engineered timber and 
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<li>  new requirements that will enhance the workplace environments of construction workers.</li>
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Minimum requirements for greenhouse gas emissions</div>
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<div class="column">The GBCA’s is reprioritising carbon as a key environmental issue – and setting minimum requirements is an important part of this. Under the proposed changes, a building project seeking 5 Star Green Star certification would be required to achieve three Green Star points in the ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ credit, and be 25 percent more efficient than a benchmark building.</div>
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<div class="column">A 6 Star Green Star building would be required to achieve six points and demonstrate efficiency of almost 40 percent above the benchmark. The improvements would be addressed through energy efficiency or onsite renewables.</div>
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<div class="column">This measure would enable us to provide clearer differentiation between the star ratings, and to guarantee, as a minimum, that a 5 Star building would produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a 4 Star building, and so on.</div>
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<div class="column">Minimum requirements are part of a broader plan to align Green Star with the distinct trajectories outlined in the Paris Agreement.</div>
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 Air-tightness testing</div>
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 A proposed change to the ‘Commissioning and Tuning’ credit would drive the uptake of air-tightness testing.</div>
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 Under the revised credit, project teams would be required to undertake testing to demonstrate that the façade airtightness specifications had been achieved. “This isn’t about setting a standard for air-tightness yet, though this allows us to push Australia to take air-tightness seriously. This first step is about building industry capacity and educating project teams on the value of air-tightness testing.”</div>
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 The GBCA would analyse and share the information gathered from the credit to “better understand where Australian buildings are landing”, to support industry action on air-tightness testing and standards that respond to Australia’s unique climate conditions.</div>
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 Incentivising the use of engineered timber</div>
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 The GBCA is also proposing the introduction of a new pathway for engineered timber within the Materials category – just as we have for concrete and steel.</div>
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 This initiative recognises the innovative approach taken on projects such as Lendlease’s Forté and acknowledges the industry’s growing appetite for products such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). </div>
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<div class="column">Jorge Chapa is GBCA’s head of market transformation and can be contacted <a href="https://new.gbca.org.au" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Property 101: Green Star updates open for consultation

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St.George’s Barangaroo branch has been rated 6 Star Green Star – Interiors, the highest level for sustainable interior fit-outs, becoming the first bank branch and the first retail fit-out in Australia to get the rating.
Green Star, awarded by Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), is an internationally-recognised sustainability rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit-outs and communities. The St.George Barangaroo branch fit-out was assessed across nine categories and scored on use of building materials that are environment friendly, reduced internal air pollutants and lower water and energy consumption.
“This outstanding achievement is not just about minimising the bank’s environmental footprint – although this is important," said GBCA’s chief executive Romilly Madew.
"International research has found bank branches designed with sustainability in mind are also better places for customers and staff – and can cut costs, boost productivity, attract and retain employees, and provide a positive brand contact for customers. We applaud St.George’s achievement, which sends a signal to the financial services sector that sustainability is a strategic business decision.” 
<img src="/images/2016/04/14/700_stgeiorge.jpg" alt="">
St.George retail general manager Ross Miller said the certification was proof of St.George’s focus on innovation to provide employees and customers with a great place to work and bank.
This latest rating also builds on Westpac Group’s list of credentials in this area. Recognised as the world’s most sustainable bank, according to the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the group’s head office at 275 Kent Street in Sydney was also recently awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating, along with the 150 Collins Street, Melbourne site and new corporate office, Tower 2 at Barangaroo.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

St.George branch in Sydney's Barangaroo earns 6-Star Green Star rating

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We've recently seen adventure retailer Kathmandu open the first Green Star accredited retail store in Australia, which is to be shortly followed by Collins Street Wharf's new development on the waterfront.
But what exactly is the Green Star initiative?
The Green Star rating system comes from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The Green Star rating tools rewards sustainability outcomes and encourage moving beyond standard practice.
Ratings can be achieved at the planning phase for communities, during the design, construction or fitout phase of buildings, or during the ongoing operational phase.
The ratings are broken down in to six star categories.
<a href="/images/2016/03/31/The%20green%20star%20rating%20scale.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a>
 <img src="/images/2016/03/31/The%20green%20star%20rating%20scale.jpg" alt="">
The system assesses the buildings, fitouts and communities against a range of environmental impact categories.
It also aims to encourage leadership in environmentally sustainable design and construction, showcase innovation in sustainable building practices and consider occupant health, productivity and operational cost savings.
In June, diversified property group Frasers Property Group (rebranded last year from Australand), who are now controlled by Singapore-listed Frasers Centrepoint, secured the first ever sustainability rating for a portfolio of properties.
Not to be confused with Kathmandu's claim for the first ever retail store, the portfolio applies to a group of 54 commercial and industrial properties.
Australand now has 1.3 million square metres of Green Star-certified space, more than double any other company in Australia.
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What is a Green Star rating?

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A new report from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has found that green retail environments can enhance the customer experience and drive greater profits.
The study suggests that most retailers are missing massive opportunities to beat understand how the physical retail environment can impact staff, customers and business performance.
WorldGBC CEO Terri Wills said that the days of 'grey box retailers' are numbered.
The report highlights American retailer Walmart's findings which suggest that day lit areas of stores deliver higher sales per square metre than those areas artificially lit.
Research too suggests that customers are likely to buy more merchandise, stay longer and visit stores more frequently with natural surroundings
Stockland now has 13 Green Star ratings for retail centres.
Frasers Property Australia gained Australia's first 6 Star Green Star Retail Centre for The Ponds in 2015.
Coles achieved a 4 Star Green Star rating for its Hallam store in south east Melbourne and Kathmandu opened its first flagship Green Star registered retail store during 2015.
CEO of Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and WorldGBC board member Romilly Madew says retailers who successfully embrace sustainability will have an unassailable market advantage for years to come.
 
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