Five Green Stars for Bendigo Bank's new headquarters

Bendigo Bank’s new head office has formally been recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly in Australia.

The design of the new complex, which includes a range of water and energy savings features, has been awarded a prestigious 5 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 Certified Rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Acknowledging Australian excellence in environmental design, the 5 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating makes Bendigo’s latest addition one of the nation’s leading new office buildings.

It is the first building in regional Australia to receive a Green Star certified rating, and the 18th across Australia.

With a recycling system for both blackwater and greywater, rainwater collection and energy efficient underfloor air-conditioning, the building design features the latest in environmentally sustainable building practices.

It features roof top solar water heating, carbon dioxide sensors to monitor air quality and individual lighting control to reduce energy consumption.

Plus, the colourful sun shades currently being installed on the west and north sides of the building, combined with the double-glazed windows, are designed to reduce the heat entering the building.

Bendigo Bank Chief General Manager Group Delivery Richard Hasseldine said from the very beginning of this project, the Bank had aimed to design an office that reflected best practice in Australia.

“This rating acknowledges that commitment and is evidence of Bendigo Bank’s commitment to the environment,” he said.

“It has not been easy to incorporate such a wide range of environmental features – it has taken a group of expert architects, environmental consultants and engineers to come up with the final design.

“But the hard work will certainly be worth it – we have a 5 Star Green Star rated office design that will benefit the environment now and for a long time into the future.”

Green Building Council of Australia Chief Executive Romilly Madew congratulated Bendigo Bank on their achievement.

“The Green Building Council of Australia congratulates Bendigo Bank on achieving the first 5 Star Green Star certified project in regional Australia,” Ms Madew said.

“Bendigo Bank has shown that building green isn’t just for the top end of town in the CBDs of Australia’s capital cities – it is something that makes sense environmentally and economically wherever you are building, and we hope this is the first of many Green Star certified projects in regional Australia.”

The first stage of the new head office is expected to be complete in May 2007 with the entire project due for completion in May 2008.