New Green Headquarters for EPA Victoria

Article provided by: EPA Victoria

After 10 years at its Southbank headquarters, EPA Victoria will move to new environmentally friendly offices in Victoria Street, on the northern edge of the city.

The site, a former Carlton and United Breweries laboratory, is currently being converted by Melbourne property investment company Drapac into a landmark for sustainable building retrofits.

Terry A'Hearn, EPA acting chief executive officer said the move was an exciting new chapter for EPA.

"The decision to relocate has been driven by a number of commercial and environmental factors," he said.

"We have reached the ceiling in terms of improving the environmental performance of our HWT office space and the opportunity to make further significant environmental improvements is limited.

"In contrast, the developer for Victoria Street recently achieved six green stars under the Green Building Council's design rating system for its redevelopment, so there are some nice synergies with what EPA stands for," he said.

EPA will lease four floors of the new building, delivering lower operating costs compared to the current premises.

Mr A'Hearn said that looking after the environment and protecting the bottom line was achievable.

"As a leading environmental organisation, EPA is keen to pass its learnings from the process of fitting out the office to other organisations looking for opportunities to improve their environmental performance," he said.

Much of the new building's original structure has been recycled. Key sustainable features include:

• under-floor air distribution
• rainwater harvesting and recycling systems
• double-glazed windows
• efficient energy and water fixtures and fittings
• a co-generation system which generates a portion of the electricity on site

Mr A'Hearn said sustainable development was an integral piece in the puzzle in developing a low-carbon future.

"The sustainable credentials of the new building mean we will be able to reduce our environmental footprint, while also provide employees with a healthy and sustainable work environment - which increasingly is a motivating factor for many people when seeking a new job," he said.

Architects Woods Bagot have been appointed to complete the fit-out, working in conjunction with services/ESD consultants Connell Wagner and Montlaur Project Services, who are acting as EPA's project managers.