Green Initiatives
Building
Architecture
The Darwin Convention Centre was designed to be the most energy efficient building possible with careful consideration to the orientation and shape and integrative design to minimise overall energy consumption for the lifetime of the building.
Other design elements include:
- Large eaves and overhangs will result in a 15% saving on air-conditioning consumption.
- Direction of building minimizes solar radiation from entering the building to reduce cooling costs.
Building Fabric and Materials
Careful consideration of sustainability issues was adhered to in the selection of all internal materials such as floor and wall coverings, furniture, fixtures and fittings.
The selection criteria incorporated:
- PVC minimization and use of PVC alternatives in conduits and piping
- Use of low volatile organic compounds [VOC] paints, adhesives and glues
- Plantation timbers
- Embodied energy
- Energy efficient star rating appliances
- Provision for recycling material including glass and paper
Selection of construction materials were based on the following criteria:
- Recyclability
- Sustainable sourcing
- Low embodied energy
- Low pollution from manufacturing
- Minimal environmental impact
- Durability and minimal maintenance
- Non-hazardous and eco-labeling and certification
Pipework
Over 70% of drainage pipework constructed from recyclable material in lieu of PVC. Recycled material is significantly stronger meaning lower risk of breakages and hence lower chances of soil contamination.
Water
Siphonic Roof Drainage system has been designed with HHPE pipe work and fittings. 50% of the roof drainage will discharge directly to the lagoon to assist with flushing process.
25% water usage reduction with installation of reduced capacity size dual flush cisterns, urinals and flow control taps.
Hot Water Generation
Reduced greenhouse emissions with the installation of a high efficiency gas boosted hot water generation plant.
Appliances
Cooking equipment burner designs to maximize energy utilization versus kilowatt input. Heat sources are surrounded by baffles which direct the energy to the cooking appliance.
Cyclonic filters installed that require smaller fans and ducts to reduce energy consumption and lower noise generation. Clean air is discharged after being passed through these filters and ultraviolet light system.
Electrical Services
Building Management System to monitor and control power usage along with preventative maintenance programs. The use of an integrated digital based lighting system for automated lighting, stepped dimming control and energy efficient timers.
Recycling
The Darwin Convention Centre is committed to the recycling of all waste. Significant waste storage has been installed with the ability to separate all recyclable material. Contractors are in place to service these recycling initiatives.
Operations
Staff
You can have the best environmental plan in the world but if you don’t have the knowledgeable and trained staff to support your program results may be short lived. The Darwin Convention Centre will invest time in our greatest asset, our staff – from induction to operation.
Suppliers
Develop successful relationships with like minded businesses e.g. suppliers, ensuring all products are processed and delivered with environmentally friendly processes, in recycled materials and reducing waste to begin with.
Clients
Encourage clients to participate in our environmental management plan and reduce general waste. i.e. all convention delegates to be given re-usable water bottle containers.
Department Meetings
Ongoing agenda item “Green times” to discuss ongoing improvements to EMP.
Recycling
Printing/photocopying in the office will be kept to a minimum with double sided copies and paper to be recycled is made into notebooks for staff.
Catering
Packaging
Only using recyclable paper products and ensuring they are disposed of as recyclable waste not general waste.
Water Management
Develop a sensible water usage habits and discourage waste through signage.
Accreditation
The Darwin Convention Centre is working towards becoming a world leading sustainable event facility. Our aim is to achieve accreditation in the following environmental best practices:
- 5 star Green Star rating from the Australian Building Council
- Green Globe 21 accreditation as part of our ongoing commitment to improve our environmental performance.
- Green Globe is the global benchmarking, certification and improvement system for sustainable travel and tourism, established by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 1993. Its rigorous benchmarking program ranks businesses across a range of areas including energy and water consumption, use of paper and chemical products, waste sent to landfill, waste recycling and sustainability policies.
