Melbourne train station achieves 'Australian Excellence' for sustainability

Reservoir Station in Melbourne’s north has been awarded a Five Star Green Star Design & As Built rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), reported to be the first train station in Australia to do so. The rating is categorised by the GBCA as an ‘Australian Excellence’ achievement.

Completed by the Level Crossing Removal Project in July 2020, Reservoir Station was rated using the GBCA Custom (Melbourne Metro Rail Authority) tool, which was developed to drive sustainable design and construction of railway stations. The tool encourages industry to create station buildings that are not just green, but healthy, livable, productive, resilient and sustainable.

Some of the sustainability highlights at Reservoir Station include a 41% reduction of electricity demand during peak times compared with a standard train station; 92% reduction in operational water use compared with a standard building; use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) and low formaldehyde products to improve the air quality inside the station; and 100% use of responsibly sourced steel that aims to lower carbon dioxide emissions during production.

Five sustainability innovations were recognised as part of the project rating, such as the recycled glass fines in concrete trial — conducted at Reservoir, and the station’s remote energy water metering and monitoring system.

Level Crossing Removal Sustainability Manager Fin Robertson said, “We always look for ways to work with our stakeholders and delivery partners to make sustainability an integral part of how we plan, design and deliver infrastructure. Reservoir Station is a great example of this approach and one we aim to repeat across all our projects.

“We’re all so proud of this great achievement. Everyone who worked on the High Street project has been committed to building a sustainable station for the community to enjoy for years to come.”