One of Australia's key green industry bodies has heralded the efforts of the NSW government in committing to improving the energy efficiency of 150 of its buildings.
Executive director for advocacy and business services at the Green Building Council of Australia, Robin Mellon, has congratulated the NSW government on its latest green initiative – but also encouraged it to seek green star certification.
"Green star certification would demonstrate that the money spent on energy efficiency upgrades and other improvements delivers results," he said.
“Other states including South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have registered public sector projects, such as hospitals and schools, for green star ratings, and we call on the NSW government to follow in these footsteps."
In an announcement by environment minister Robyn Parker last week, $6.4 million in funding will be put towards retrofitting sites such as the police academy at Goulburn and Westmead Hospital, as well as emergency service buildings across the state.
Smaller frontline buildings – such as courthouses, motor registries and disability care facilities – will also benefit from the initiative, as the government looks to save almost 30,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year.