For the first time, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has certified 100 Green Star buildings in one calendar year.

The GBCA launched the Green Star environmental rating system for buildings in 2003. Since then, more than 390 buildings have achieved Green Star ratings, with nearly 550 registered for Green Star certification. The previous highest figure in one calendar year was 88 certifications in 2009.

"This is an extremely positive result, and demonstrates that even in a challenging market, the green building economy is flourishing," says Chief Executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew.

Andrew Aitken, the GBCA's Executive Director – Green Star, says: "Green Star has penetrated the office market in Australia to the extent that 18 per cent of CBD office space is now Green Star certified.

Beyond offices, Green Star is influencing the design and construction of a range of other building types, particularly education facilities, and we are optimistic that 2012 will surpass our achievements in 2011."

Some of the standout projects this year include:

• Flinders Medical Centre – New South Wing in Adelaide, the first Green Star healthcare facility in Australia, with a 5 Star Green Star – Healthcare Design v1 rating
• Jacana House in Darwin, the first 5 Star Green Star building in the Northern Territory, with a 5 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating
• Energex Distribution Centre, TradeCoast Central, in Queensland, the first 4 Star Green Star – Industrial Design v1 building
• Upper West Side Stage 1 in Melbourne, the first 4 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential Design v1 building
• Ausgrid Learning Centre in Sydney, the first 6 Star Green Star – Education As Built v1 project

"The high number of Green Star certifications this year reflects the maturity in the Australian green building market and demonstrates that, even when financial conditions are uncertain, Green Star can still be relied upon to deliver economic, environmental and social returns," Ms Madew concludes.

www.gbca.org.au