Building a long-term approach on sustainability

MEDIA RELEASE

18.03.2013

Building a long-term approach on sustainability

How does New Zealand build sustainable cities that will survive the effects of the next significant earthquake? What quantifiable return will green buildings bring to property owners, tenants and communities?

Find out how New Zealand can create a future with a difference at the country’s foremost green building event, Green Property Summit, on Wednesday 20 March in Auckland.

NZ Strong’s Shane Brealey will define the tangible value of green buildings in a presentation including real world examples. “Sustainable features need to be recognised in a way that is pragmatic, tangible and ideally cost neutral. The focus has shifted more towards energy efficient solutions that save money as well as providing a sustainable workplace.”

An update of the IPD Green Property Index by Lachlan Wood will lend weight to the financial return of green buildings, and New Zealand Green Building Council chief executive Alex Cutler will outline the role of NABERSNZ, the new energy performance rating tool that will be launched in May.

“NABERSNZ will complement the Green Star system of design and build ratings, closing that life cycle loop and offering the opportunity to prove a building’s energy performance. The two tools will work well together and will also deliver on the financial rewards of building, owning and running a green building,” Ms Cutler says.

The relationship between maximising sustainability, protecting heritage and minimising cost will be a key focus for Property Council’s chief executive Connal Townsend. Joining him to discuss this is Bruce Chapman from NZ Historic Places Trust, Matthew Cockram from Britomart’s Cooper & Company, and Stuart Gardyne of Architecture Plus.

Mr Townsend explains: “Before the Christchurch earthquakes, the focus of sustainability was on retrofitting existing infrastructure and buildings. The sustainability equation has now morphed into something bigger – we are looking at ways to rebuild an entire city and ensure we protect what matters to communities across the country, so that our heritage will be protected for many generations to come.”

International speaker David Hobstetter will share design features of San Francisco’s Pulic Utilities Commission’s new headquarters at 525 Golden Gate Ave – built to be fully operational following an earthquake, and Wade Lange from American Assets Trust & Chair-Elect of Lloyd EcoDistrict will discuss the creation of sustainable community ‘ecodistricts’.

A joint initiative by Property Council New Zealand and the New Zealand Green Building Council, this conference will be held on Wednesday 20 March at the Pullman Hotel, on the corner of Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street in Auckland. Registrations are still open – view the full programme at greenpropertysummit.org.nz.

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