Government leadership helps to foster resilience, reduce our emissions, encourage innovation and sustainably build productivity over the long term. Leading by example and implementing coordinated, targeted policies and programs can help our buildings and industry to achieve their full potential.
We are proud to work with our local government members to support more productive, livable, sustainable communities across Australia. Local governments are uniquely positioned to implement policies and measures that can support best practice developments in their communities.
Our resources for local government:
- Green Star Communities: Guide for local government
- Local government and Green Star factsheet
- Every Building Counts: a policy platform released by GBCA and the Property Council of Australia in 2023 to call on governments to shape a green, healthier, and more equitable built environment. The local government version of the report outlines 19 recommendations across six themes to help Australia achieve its decarbonisation goals.
- Supporting sustainable development: a guide to incorporating environmental performance standards into local planning frameworks
- Built environment sustainability frameworks: the Supporting sustainable development guide has been informed by research undertaken by Urbis and captured in the report, Built Environment Sustainability Frameworks.
See a few examples of visionary government leadership below:
Know City Council Regional Netball Centre
There is growing recognition of the benefits that Green Star certification can bring to council facilities, firmly putting to bed the argument that it's only for large-scale, inner-city projects. Knox City Council has demonstrated these benefits by achieving a 4 Star Green Star certification for their Knox Regional Netball Centre extension project.
Wollongong City Council Administration Building
The Wollongong City Council has displayed sustainable leadership by achieving a 6 Star Green Star - Performance rating for their Administration Building. Council’s work on maintaining and managing the administration building—reducing its energy and water consumption—has been an ongoing project for 15 years.
Wyndham City Council Environmentally Sustainable Design Framework
The Wyndham City Council Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Framework aims to incorporate ESD principles into all Council buildings including Green Star for suitable projects.
Parramatta City Council, Parramatta Square Precinct
Parramatta Square is one of Australia’s largest commercial precincts, and a 5 Star Green Star rated community. The precinct integrates four premium A-grade commercial towers with the City of Parramatta setting an expectation from the outset that these would achieve Green Star certification. Parramatta Square is also home to PHIVE, Parramatta’s 6 Star Green Star-rated community, cultural and civic hub.
City of Sydney Guidance on Sustainable Development
The City of Sydney includes Green Star in its guidance on sustainable development. The guidance encourages suitable new developments within the City of Sydney's local government area to achieve Green Star and NABERS certifications along with other sustainability benchmarks.
Brisbane City Council Green Buildings Incentive Policy
To encourage the design of greener and more energy efficient buildings across Brisbane, Council introduced the Brisbane Green Buildings Incentive Policy. Under the incentive, Council will provide a financial payment of up to 50% of infrastructure charges paid for Council networks to buildings that meet criteria and eligibility requirements (including Green Star certification).
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