Melbourne gets the “green” light
Convention Centres around the world may claim to be green but once they hear about the new Melbourne Convention Centre, they’ll probably just be green with envy.
Although still about 14 months from completion, the new Melbourne Convention Centre, strategically located next to the existing Exhibition Centre on the banks of the Yarra has just been awarded the 6 star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.
The award is a world first, with no other convention centre having been given this accreditation which is the highest under the Green Building Council’s classification structure.
To have been granted the award, the designers of the Convention Centre incorporated various environmental features.
Solar panels, which will deliver all the public amenity hot water, a black-water recycling plant, lighting fixtures that adjust to the amount of available daylight and natural energy saving controls are all being installed within the giant structure.
According to the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, who visited the construction site this morning, the award is a huge step forward for Melbourne’s international presence in the convention industry.
“..this new level of sustainability is a major drawcard for convention organisers in an increasingly environmentally conscious world climate.” He said, surveying his new toy from under his hard-hat.
By tapping into the environmental consciousness of event organisers as well as delegates, Melbourne is ‘on a winner’ with their new centre.
Environmental issues are high on an organisers’ list of concerns and running ‘green’ conventions requires a truly ‘green’ centre. But that centre must not only be at the forefront of environmental awareness, it must also deliver on capacity and capability.
With a plenary capacity of 5000 and the most contemporary and technologically advanced equipment, the centre will be the largest in Australia and will no doubt be first choice for large international conferences.
Due to open mid 2009, more than 18 large conferences have already booked space.
And the good news for them is that the construction program is on schedule.
A Report by international travel writer Kevin Moloney
John Alwyn-Jones
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