Notoriously poor-performing and energy leaking shopping centres are getting better by the day, with more focus by owners and developers on improving building efficiency.
Frasers’ new Coorparoo Square centre in Brisbane is the latest to formally achieve a 5 star NABERS Energy rating, in large part by maximising natural ventilation and eliminating the need for airconditioning in common areas.
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The 6870 square metre property co-developed by Frasers Property Australia and Honeycombes Property Group was also one of the first rated with the NABERS Small Shopping Centres tool for buildings under 15,000 square metres.
Helping improve energy efficiency was the use of LED lighting throughout the retail and carpark areas, which were also mechanically ventilated and optimised by using a CO2 sensor.
“We benchmark our sustainability performance against independent rating tools to ensure we maintain, and continually seek to improve, the operation of our centres,” Mark Gleeson, executive general manager investment and capital transactions, Frasers Property Australia said.
“A 5 star NABERS Energy rating is something the entire team, including our fantastic retailers, should be proud of.”
NABERS shopping centres
Last financial year the average NABERS Energy rating for shopping centres was 4.3, up from 4.1 the year before, with 73 buildings nationally achieving a 5 Star rating or higher.
In March 2021, NABERS launched a special offer for?first time small shopping centres to receive a?free Energy rating, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
All up, 46 small shopping centres (between 5000 and 15000 square metres) took part and were rated for the first time.