The new Melbourne Convention Centre is the first convention centre in the world to achieve a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating. We take environmental issues seriously, and are proud to have received this prestigious recognition from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The green building's innovative sustainable design and operational features ensure the comfort of delegates and protection of the environment go hand-in-hand. Features include:
Energy
- Displacement ventilation - low level air delivery and high level air exhaust in the plenary hall and foyer areas provide effective air flow with high indoor air quality at low energy consumption
- Expansive glass facade allows availability of natural light to the foyer and pre-function spaces. This reduces the need for artificial light and provides good thermal qualities in the winter months
- Solar hot water systems can offset more than 40 per cent of general hot water requirements and can provide 100 per cent of public amenity hot water requirements
- Light fittings have been selected and positioned in order to minimise resource and energy consumption. For example, energy efficient lighting is design with daylight and motion detection control features
Water
- A black water treatment plant collects building wastewater and some stormwater to provide treated water for toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers
- Water efficient fixtures and fittings, including urinals that use a chemical system rather than a water flush
Indoor Environment Quality
- Radiant slab heating and cooling in the foyer (with pipes in the concrete floor carrying hot or cold water to heat or cool the slab) provides a more comfortable internal environment with good thermal comfort levels
- Carbon dioxide monitoring and control is part of air conditioning systems and ensures fresh air is continually delivered to the convention centre
- Enhanced indoor air quality as a result of carpets, paints, adhesives and sealants that are low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and the use of low emission building materials
Materials
- Use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) timber, which is environmentally friendly, rather than non-renewable timber
- Use of sustainable furnishings and floor covering
- Substitution of PVC with more environmentally-friendly materials
The new Melbourne Convention Centre is fully integrated with the existing exhibition centre, creating the largest combined exhibition and convention facility in Australia.
The Exhibition Centre has established environmental policy and strategies including:
- Conducting an energy audit every six months - energy use has decreased over the last five years.
- Public transport - well serviced by trams, trains and buses
- Natural resources are used as much as possible including natural light, water recycling and the use of fresh air
- Air-conditioning that can be controlled in each conference or meeting room
- Waste and recycling procedures including separation of cardboard, glass and aluminium
- Bins for landfill waste
Catering
- Food and beverage recycling
- Fresh, local and in-season organic food or food that is fair trade is used
- Fish is selected from sustainable fish supplies
- Reusable crockery and cutlery is provided
- Reusable or recycled napkins are provided
- All kiosk consumables are recyclable and are made of paper or cardboard predominantly
- Water is supplied in glass recyclable bottles
- Glass is crushed on site and then recycled