Kemps Creek industrial park first to receive top green rating
A $1 billion industrial estate in Sydney’s west has become the country’s first to be awarded the highest rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The Yards at Kemps Creek is owned by Frasers Property Industrial in a partnership with Aware Real Estate and Altis Property Partners.
This week, the GBCA determined the business park to have met the criteria to justify a 6-Green Star Communities rating, an accolade to date predominantly given to residential, office and retail projects.
FPI started acquiring the 118 hectares making way for The Yards in 2017; it is speculated to have spent upward of $300 million.
The Yards
Approved by the state government in early 2021, The Yards is master-planned with 14 all-electric buildings containing a total of 400,000 square metres, around parks, walking tracks and cycle paths.
The landlords have also committed to all facilities achieving a 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built v1.3 rating, with features including water efficient fixtures and fittings, rainwater harvesting, future readying infrastructure for recycled water connections, landscaping to minimise heat islands and rooftop solar.
“We’re delighted that The Yards has achieved this rating and set a new standard for industrial developments in Australia,” Aware Super chief executive officer, Michelle McNally, said.
“By retrofitting a ratings tool typically used for residential communities, we’ve innovated in a way never seen before at an industrial estate,” she added.
“The development of The Yards aligns with Aware Real Estate’s investment strategy to target strategic locations around existing and new infrastructure that will drive long-term demand and capital growth,” according to the executive (story continues below).
“We’re pleased to deliver the precinct in partnership with Frasers Property Industrial, and our development partner Altis Property Partners, which have a strong track record in delivering quality projects that allow people and businesses to thrive.
“This rating confirms the quality of the buildings and overall estate, as well as the joint venture’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
The future of industrial: GBCA
When awarding the rating, the GBCA measures planning, design and construction across five impact groups: governance, livability, economic prosperity, environment and innovation.
“As the first industrial estate in Australia to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Communities certification, The Yards is a world-leading project displaying the future of work, today,” GBCA chief executive officer, Davina Rooney, said.
“Created by one of our industry’s leading innovators – Frasers Property Industrial, in partnership with Aware Real Estate – The Yards is a place where sustainability, community and technology intersect to create a neighbourhood that boosts the wellbeing of staff while being well connected,” she added.
“This is the future of industrial and an achievement worth celebrating,” according to the executive.
Techtronic Industries was the first tenant to commit to The Yards, in 2021, with a 73,920 sqm facility.
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