This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AUSTRALAND is leading the sustainability in the industrial property sector following the completion of the Corporate Express distribution centre at Erskine Park.
Australand’s northern general manager for commercial and industrial Reini Otter said the project was completed in eight months, on time and on budget and proves that sustainability and commerciality are not mutually exclusive in the industrial sector.
“We always start with the fundamental site specific considerations of aspect and orientation, environmental protection, sun shading devices and material selection to ensure a quality indoor environment by reducing interior overheating and heat loss in the office space,” he added.
From an energy perspective, the facility’s cogeneration plant will save an estimated 16,000 tonnes of carbon per year, the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road. The lighting of warehouse space is another major source of energy consumption which has been addressed in both the design of the external fabric and the lighting system itself.
Otter said rainwater harvesting and reuse as well as fixture selection has resulted in significant water savings and the facility’s emissions are managed through the use of bio retention ponds and grass verges rather than gutters for the collection of stormwater.
“In addition to the fundamental design initiatives, the internal environment is further enhanced through the selection of low pollutant materials and the utilisation of a ridge vent instead of mechanical fans in the warehouse,” he continued.
Australand is a long term partner of Corporate Express, developing successful property solutions for the company in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Corporate Express’ managing director Grant Harrod said the 43,000 sqm industrial facility, which incorporates 3000 sqm of office space, will transform the company’s supply chain for the next decade.
The new facility is a consolidation of five business locations for Corporate Express across Sydney.
Otter said industrial demand remains strong within the Erskine Park Business Hub with the estate’s land subdivision achieving lot sales in the order of $350 per sqm. Only one lot remains available.
He added that Australand also developed another sustainable facility for Strandbags.
“Strandbags in particular needed to ensure temperature control within their facility so we utilised a proprietary applied finish to the roof sheeting to negate the need for energy consuming air conditioning systems. Combined with increased insulation this approach works to keep the temperature inside the warehouse within a constant range,” he concluded.
Australand’s executive manager of C & I Sean McMahon said the group is a major sponsor of the Industrial Green Star Rating Tool due to be released shortly and has been actively involved in the technical working group developing this new rating system.
Australian Property Journal
