Vicinity Centres (Vicinity) is now the highest-rated retail property group in Australia after it received a 4 Star Green Star Performance rating, representing best practice, from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Vicinity Centres CEO Grant Kelley said Vicinity’s rating was a significant lift since its first rating of two stars – which is the current average for Australian buildings – in 2016.
“We’re proud to have received a 4 Star Green Star Performance rating for our portfolio, and to be taking on a leadership position, which reinforces our commitment to creating more sustainable business outcomes for our customers, communities, and investors.”
Chadstone (Victoria), Mandurah Forum (Western Australia), Queens Plaza (Queensland) and Elizabeth City Centre (South Australia) are among 39 centres which have received a 4 Star Green Star Performance rating by the GBCA in 2019.
Melissa Schulz, general manager, Sustainability at Vicinity said: “We’re thrilled with what we’ve been able to achieve since 2016, including cutting the energy we’re using, which has delivered an 11 per cent reduction in our carbon emissions intensity – equivalent to removing more than 4700 cars from our roads this year.”
“We know our customers and retailers are looking to us for sustainability leadership, which is why our teams have changed processes and implemented upgrades, to help deliver better outcomes for our communities and the environment.”
Key sustainability measures recognised by the GBCA include:
- Vicinity’s $73 million national solar program
- Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and cooling (HVAC) maintenance and replacement
- Waste management
- Community investment and Reconciliation Action Plan
Vicinity announced its Net Zero carbon target for its 34 wholly-owned shopping centres, to be reached through a combination of its industry-leading solar program and energy efficiencies by 2030, in July this year.
The new carbon target comes as stage two of Vicinity’s $73 million solar investment program, announced in 2018, nears completion with renewable energy systems being installed across 22 shopping centres in six states.
“Our strategy to reach Net Zero carbon by 2030, along with our industry-leading solar investment, has helped us reach 4 Star Green Star Performance rating, but we know there is more work to do to ensure we maintain our position as sustainability leaders,” Schulz said.
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