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76 Business View Australia - September 2015
CitySwitchprogram has found that
a typical financial or professional
services firm operating from a 5 Star
Green Star-rated office of 5,000
square metres could save $18,200 a
year in electricity costs alone, not to
mention massive savings in reduced
absenteeism, employee retention and
increased productivity in the region of
$4 million a year.
Green Star buildings are recording
productivity increases of up to 15 per
cent, which is perhaps why Colliers
International’s Office Tenant Survey
(2012) has found that 95 per cent
of tenants want to be in a green
building. ‘Green space’ is now one of
the top four attributes tenants look
for – along with bike racks, childcare
facilities and a gym.
The World Green Building Council’s
Business Case for Green Building
(2013) finds that a minimal two per
cent upfront cost to support green
design can result in average life
cycle savings of 20 per cent of total
construction costs – more than 10
times the initial investment.
Eachyear,theDowJonesSustainability
Index is led by Australian companies,
such as Stockland, GPT Group, Investa
and Lend Lease. Similarly, the Global
Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark
CONSTRUCTION & PR