Brisbane Hospital Named Australia’s Greenest

A Brisbane hospital has become the first in Australia to receive a 5 Star Green Star Performance rating.

Herston Quarter’s 182-bed Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) has been awarded the rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) for Australian excellence in building operations.

The hospital is by Australian Unity, operated by Metro North Health and the facility manager is Cushman and Wakefield.

The rating measures performance across categories, including indoor environment, energy, transport, water, materials, land use & ecology, emissions and innovation.

It recognises STARS’ building innovations and operations, which includes energy and water efficient systems and processes, effective waste management, architectural design that optimises air flow and thermal performance, protection of environmentally significant surrounding areas and proximity to public transport.

Hospitals faced unique challenges in efforts to reduce carbon and waste, GBCA chief executive Davina Rooney said, but STARS offered the Australian market “a proof-of-concept healthcare asset with exemplary operations”.

"STARS has set a new standard in the Australian health sector for energy and water consumption, thermal insulation and decreased operational emissions,” she said.

Metro North environmental sustainability and climate change manager, health, Kellie Williams said there was a growing body of evidence that healthier hospitals led to better patient outcomes and a safer, more productive and enjoyable place to work.

“Hospital sustainability is key to reducing emissions associated with healthcare and achieving net-zero targets,” she said.