Built Environment
This category acknowledges the role of design and construction in achieving a long-term sustainable water system. It focuses on completed developments (either residential or commercial) that have incorporated water saving features into their design and construction and are achieving water savings. Typically entrants in this category would include property developers, architects, builders and carpenters, owner builders or renovators, and partnerships of such groups.
WINNER
Coles Group Limited, Target Head Office Geelong
| The new $5 million, two story extension of Target's head office in Geelong is more than an aesthetically pleasing building: its 1600 square metre roof is used to capture stormwater that is fed and stored in 16 tanks positioned beneath the building. An interconnected piping system, fed by an automatic pump, draws the water up where it is used to flush toilets within the building. Dependent on rainfall patterns, the estimated saving is more than 900,000L of water per year - or more than 6,500 bathtubs.** Additional sustainability based initiatives include a solar hot water system, extensive sun shading to windows, light dimming systems in office areas and a soaker irrigation system for garden beds utilising any surplus water from the below-building tanks. Coles Group Limited is also installing a recycling system for its large bank of washing machines, used to test the washability of Target clothing as part of a Target’s Quality Assurance System. |
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FINALISTS
Department of Infrastructure and Danfab, Horsham
An innovative design solution developed through a partnership with the Department of Infrastructure (Public Transport Directorate – Business and Regional Services branch) and metal fabrication company, Danfab, has resulted in Australia’s first coach shelter capable of collecting and storing 2,000L of water.
Rainwater is stored in the columns of the shelter, which act as 500L water tanks. This water can be used to wash the shelter and maintain surrounding gardens. The benefit of self-contained watering is that it offers a balance between the functional needs of the facility and town water conservation.
The first coach shelter has been constructed in Horsham; a further 12 are planned to roll out across selected regional Victorian towns and cities during 2007.
Based on average Horsham rainfall of 450mm, this coach shelter alone is estimated to conserve 13,000L of water annually.
Greenmark Landscapes, Olinda
Based around stormwater reuse and the iconic Australian billabong, Greenmark Landscapes’ environmentally sustainable display garden in Olinda has the capacity to capture and store more than 703KL of rain and stormwater annually* - or more than 5,200 bathtubs**.
The water sensitive garden that provides stormwater for the site’s home and office is self-sufficient, with water bills that reflect only a drainage charge.
A constructed billabong is central to the design, helping to trap and conserve stormwater, to irrigate (until established), drought tolerate plants, support indigenous water plants (which can survive natural dry periods if the billabong dries out), and to support fire-fighting and wildlife populations. It also acts as a natural lap pool for cooling off.
The billabong is fed by rain and excess stormwater flowing from the roof, two water tanks and a fire tank. Stormwater drains also redirect driveway runoff into the billabong, whilst a small creek takes run off water from the heated outdoor shower into the billabong.
Extensive mulching, plant zoning, composting and on-site sewage treatment ensure that the garden remains beautiful, water wise and low maintenance.