ISCA and GBCA Launch New Guide for Sustainable City-building
Two of Australia’s leading sustainability organisations have come together to make it easier for industry to deliver sustainability through the infrastructure and buildings that are rapidly shaping our cities.
Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) and The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have launched a guide to explain how to integrate the Green Star – Design & As Built rating tool for buildings, and Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design & As Built ratings tool for infrastructure, on urban development projects.
GBCA Chief Executive Officer Davina Rooney said the shared approach reflected increasing demand from government, industry, investors and the wider community for independent assurance of sustainable outcomes across all facets of project delivery.
“We recognise the importance of working together to deliver leading standards of sustainability, but also making these standards and the outcomes they drive as accessible as possible,” Ms Rooney said.
“With an increasing focus on large scale infrastructure delivery, supported by integrated built form and urban renewal, a coordinated approach to sustainability is more important than ever.”
ISCA Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson said there was increasing uptake from government and industry of both rating tools to measure and reward sustainability performance across urban development projects.
“With a collaborative and integrated approach, together with industry we can successfully deliver even greater sustainable outcomes,” Ms Simpson said.
The practice guide will help asset owners, developers, contractors and consultants when they are seeking dual certification from ISCA and the GBCA. It highlights common elements of the ratings tools, which can create more efficiencies when planning and applying for both certifications.
The shared approach will identify potential synergies and reduce risks.
Ms Rooney said the guide would assist applicants to identify certification efficiencies across those relevant projects.
“We encourage project team members to use the guide and to consult with both the GBCA and ISCA to drive sustainability benefits for the industry,” she said.