Andrew Barr

Work starts on ACT’s final and most environmentally friendly BER Project

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 28 May 2010 - 5:25pm
Work on a new $3 million, six star energy efficient environmental learning centre for the kids of Gold Creek School began today.
 
It’s the final project to be built at an ACT public school under Federal Labor’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) package.
 
The multi-purpose centre will use the latest design techniques to save energy and water, and is designed to give students a place to learn ‘hands-on’ about protecting the environment and growing and caring for plants in the gardens and small orchard which are part of the development.
 
Climate change is the biggest challenge we face and ensuring every young Canberran learns what they can do everyday to minimise its impacts is a key focus of delivering a great education.
 
ACT Labor is determined that ACT students get the environmental education they need to face the future, through our curriculum, through ensuring we have the best teachers, through technology and by ensuring that all new and upgraded school buildings are as environmentally friendly as possible.
 
I am very pleased this new Commonwealth funded building complements the work we are doing in building more environmentally friendly schools.
 
The building design aims to achieve a six star design certification from the Green Building Council of Australia. Rainwater will be captured, stored and used for garden irrigation and toilets. Natural cross-flow ventilation will cool the building. Solar power will be generated and excess energy will be returned to the grid. The school will also be paid for excess energy under ACT Labor’s feed-in tariff.
 
The local community will be heavily involved with the school students in planting and caring for the extensive community gardens.  
 
The centre will also feature low-energy production bricks, plasterboard made largely of recycled materials and certified renewable plantation timber.
 
It’s the first project in the southern hemisphere to register for the International Living Building Challenge, which aims to promote truly sustainable design and construction practices around the globe. More information about the Challenge is available at: www.ilbi.org
 
BER projects in ACT public schools are progressing well. Of 68 BER projects in ACT public schools 11 are already completed and all projects are on-track to be finished in December which is within the Commonwealth’s deadlines.
 
All 84 National School Pride (NSP) projects in public schools have been completed within the approved Commonwealth deadlines.
 
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