Green Star library is smart and sustainable

Victoria’s Melton Library and Learning Hub - officially opened on 15 June - has been awarded a 5 Star Green Star - Public Building Design PILOT rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). This makes it Australia’s first completed Green Star library.

GBCA Chief Executive Romilly Madew said the hub is “more than a repository for books - it’s a place for the community to gain insight and inspiration into the benefits of working in or visiting a sustainable building”.

Located on Melbourne’s western fringe, the City of Melton is said to be one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Australia. This brings many challenges, but also opportunities for innovative projects, explains Cr Kathy Majdlik, Mayor of Melton City Council.

“Melton City Council is very proud of the new Melton Library and Learning Hub and its 5 Star Green Star rating. It is a central focus for lifelong learning and community activity and we will educate our residents on the sustainability aspects of the building and encourage them to apply them at home where they can,” Majdlik said.

The 3500 m² building incorporates a range of spaces. As well as housing the library’s collection, it also provides an 80-seat auditorium, community services including maternal and child health, computer training rooms, a cafe and a range of flexible learning and activity spaces.

The facility minimises environmental impact through:

• reduced light spillage
• filtered storm water discharge
• minimal noise pollution
• no ozone-depleting insulation
• collection and re-use of rainwater (for toilets and watering the garden)
• plantings of indigenous, drought-tolerant species to enhance the external aspects of the building
• sustainable building materials and energy-efficient design to minimise heating and cooling costs

These measures have resulted in the following achievements:

• 82% reduction in potable water use when compared to a standard practice building
• 92% recycling rate of the previous buildings which were demolished during the construction process
• 43.7% reduction in total CO₂ emissions related to the building use
• 52% less electricity
• 60% less gas
• 82% less water than with standard building practices
• 45% fewer greenhouse gas emissions

The building’s annual utility cost savings are $29,800 a year, including $23,700 savings in gas and $5000 in water, when compared with similar-sized non-Green Star buildings.

Madew noted the importance of these savings, saying, “When building projects are funded by public money, councils must be able to demonstrate the value of their investments and the accountability of taxpayers’ dollars. A Green Star rating gives the people of Melton confidence that their community’s assets will deliver ongoing operational efficiencies and long-term value.”

The $20 million hub received $4 million in funding through the second round of the federal government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF), $1.5 million from the state government under the Living Libraries Infrastructure and Community Support funds, and $85,000 from Western Water under the Grant for Water Sustainable Urban Design program.

A virtual overview of the facility can be viewed below.