Premier

Barwon Water Opens Five-Star Green Office

12 July 2017

Barwon Water’s refurbished head office has opened its doors in Geelong for the first time.

Minister for Water and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville today officially opened the new headquarters in Ryrie Street, which can now house all of Barwon Water’s Geelong employees under one roof.

The $32 million project saw the original building built in 1977 gutted and refurbished. About 100 local jobs were created during construction.

The building now has a five-green star rating, making it one of Geelong’s greenest businesses.

Much of the building’s original concrete and steel building structure was retained, saving more than 1 million kilograms of CO2 by minimising the use of new materials. Additionally, 80 per cent of material removed from the site was recycled.

The building features a glass wall infill, innovative sun-shading façade, a rain garden, a rooftop terrace and a community café. Open plan work space for 350 staff is also included.

The refurbishment will nearly halve maintenance, operational and energy costs.

The project has helped revitalise Ryrie Street, and provides a new connection to Little Malop Street, linking with the arts and culture hot spot.

Water corporations can play a key role tackling climate change and reducing omissions. Research shows that the water sector omits nearly one million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents each year, mostly from sewerage treatment.

Barwon Water’s Strategy 2030 sets out a plan to deliver greater economic, social and environmental change.

The Strategy helps Barwon Water play a key role implementing the Andrews Labor Government’s Water for Victoria – our framework to guiding smarter water management, bolstering the water grid and supporting more liveable Victorian communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville

“This is a new era for Barwon Water. One that builds on its past foundations of delivering affordable, secure, high-quality water.”

“This upgrade has radically transformed the sustainability of the building, making it one of Geelong’s cleanest. It just goes to show what can be achieved through building redesign.”

“This is another great investment in Geelong contributing to the creation of jobs and also revitalising our CBD, bringing renewed life into the city.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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