MCEC new expansion has earned the Green Building Council of Australia’s Five Green Star rating for building design. Photo Credit: MCEC
MELBOURNE - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) expansion, has received the Green Building Council of Australia’s Five Green Star rating for building design.
Opened in July 2018, the expansion building has increased MCEC’s venue capacity by an additional 20,000 sqm.
“The expansion space is a great example of how sustainable features can be seamlessly incorporated into functional design,” Ms Samantha Ferrier, MCEC Sustainability Manager, said.
“The expansion building features CO2 monitoring, ductwork insulation for heating and cooling, water efficient toilets and taps, and a rainwater capture tank for rainwater to be treated and used in the venue’s amenities, which all contribute towards our five-star rating.”
The rating further builds on MCEC’s sustainability achievements over the past year, which include:
• Diversion of waste from landfill using 17 waste streams
• Donating over 74,000 meals to OzHarvest’s food rescue donation programme
• A 22% reduction of in carbon emissions, based on 2015 level
• Processing 55 tonnes of food waste from its kitchens through an onsite organic dehydrator, which is equivalent to carbon emissions associated with the electricity consumption of 25 households for one year.
The Green Building Council of Australia is the nation’s authority on sustainable buildings, communities and cities and the Green Star is an internationally-recognised sustainability rating system.
The rating assesses the sustainability outcomes from the design and construction of new buildings or major refurbishments, across nine holistic impact categories including energy, materials, water and innovation.
“We are here to inspire our customers and work with them to create greener events. Eco-friendly events are more than cursory gestures, such as providing recycling bins, and the process doesn’t have to be difficult,” MCEC Sustainability manager, Ms Samantha Ferrier said.
On a day-to-day basis, the venue’s 100 Mile Menu incorporates locally grown ingredients, supports local producers and generates a lighter carbon footprint.
Other recent initiatives include:
• the appointment of Cirrus Fine Coffee – the first Australian coffee company to be 100% carbon offset from tree to cup – as its official supplier. Cirrus accepts all of its packaging back to be recycled through its established recycling channels
• the installation of 36 permanent Food Cubes in the courtyard that will become an event focal point. Each cube can grow 25 kg of produce and will be used to grow herbs and other food for Goldfields Café & Bar.