Sustainability the key for new business park

Environmentally responsible development

'Metroplex at Westgate' is a $1 billion business park project in Brisbane's western corridor, with a triple-bottom-line sustainability agenda.

The planned employment hub will comprise 100 hectares of clean industry and offices in a park environment. Its architecturally designed buildings will showcase environmental technology in water recycling, energy efficiency and environmental management.

The developer, Metroplex, has sought the input of the Australian Green Building Council to ensure standards of sustainability are ingrained in the project.

"By placing a higher priority on green building standards, like aesthetics, energy efficiency and people friendliness, Metroplex at Westgate offers 'green conscious' companies a smarter way to do business with real investment return potential," says general manager, John Smallwood.

The site's Central Plant Building will feature on-site sewage treatment and water recycling plant, bulk power distribution and backup generation, solar power and futuristic design.

The site's environmental significance primarily lies in two waterways, which over the years had degraded and been invaded by weed species. "Our focus has been on the retention, rehabilitation and enhancement of these waterways, transforming the area into an interactive public parkland," Mr Smallwood said.

However, green building is only the beginning of the project and other environmental initiatives to be pursued at the site include: large-scale water reclamation system including stormwater harvesting and recycling that will reduce the water requirement for the development by 70%; seed harvesting and replanting native trees indigenous to the site; installation of nesting boxes for the benefit of local wildlife; green design building codes including green roofing; coordinated waste management and recycling policy; architectural and landscaping code controlling design and maintenance standards; reduced electricity usage and costs through bulk power purchase and power sharing; future-proof power supply with infrastructure in place for the installation of photovoltaic cells to feed back into Metroplex's own power grid; and eco-fuelled shuttle bus service, encouragement of car pooling, plus extensive bikeways and walkways linking with wider community networks to reduce car usage.