To ensure our team can effectively manage sustainable building projects, we have Green Star Accredited Professionals on staff. One of our team members has held this accreditation for four years, and two more are currently training to become accredited.

Commissioning, handover, and maintenance initiatives ensure that building services operate efficiently and continue to perform well throughout their lifespan. Even with excellent design and good intentions, some design details can be overlooked during the project and maintenance phases, which may lead to inefficiencies, defects, or system failures later on.

Our research into previous projects revealed that significant energy is often wasted due to improper maintenance, especially in air-conditioning and chilling systems. 

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For the Stanley Place Green Star Interiors project, we worked with an independent commissioning assessor to ensure every detail—from planning to commissioning, handover, and maintenance —met all requirements. The Green Star tool provides specific guidelines to ensure all systems are operating as planned at handover, with clear information for maintenance staff to keep systems running efficiently throughout their life.

We targeted Green Star credits that recognise attention to detail in fitout performance, ensuring sustainability is a key focus throughout the project.

Our Sustainable Procurement Framework and Policy align with the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy and the National Waste Action Plan. Our policies and procedures streamline sustainable procurement, covering everything from furniture and lighting to energy use and more.

The Reef Authority’s commitment to sustainability was recognised with a Gold Award for Encouraging Environmental Sustainability through Procurement at the 2023 Commonwealth Procurement and Contract Management Awards for Excellence.

At Stanley Place, we have installed metering and monitoring systems to track energy and water use across the building. These systems help us identify areas where we can improve efficiency and reduce consumption. The Stanley Place building already holds a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating and 3.5 star NABERS Water rating.

Green Star recognises initiatives that reduce operational waste. The Reef Authority has worked with experts to develop a tailored waste management plan for our site, ensuring that both design and operational procedures follow best practices.

Our comprehensive Operational Waste Management Plan includes the following key features:

• clearly defined collection streams for different types of waste
• proper collection containers placed throughout office spaces
• safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials
• educational resources to help staff sort waste properly
• a designated collection area in the basement for safe disposal by contractors.

Our waste monitoring program, along with internal targets, helps us track and improve recycling rates and overall waste management performance.

We follow the principles of the Circular Economy, aiming to extend product life and eliminate waste throughout our operations.

The Reef Authority is also seeking a NABERS Waste Verification Report to further demonstrate our commitment to sustainable waste management.

We’ve ensured that our new office provides a healthy environment for staff with energy-efficient air-conditioning and air quality controls. The fit out includes low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and materials, which help improve indoor air quality and reduce health risks.

The Stanley Place office has been designed to ensure optimal acoustic comfort throughout the space. The open-plan layout follows a ‘neighbourhood model’, where teams are grouped together. This design requires careful architectural planning to maintain noise within recommended limits.

Certain areas, like our Green Room, are designed for specific tasks, such as video conferences. This space requires exceptional acoustic conditions, which we’ve achieved using special flooring, wall, and ceiling materials. Green Star guidelines also require that these conditions be tested and verified by a qualified professional.

To minimise noise disruptions, staff can use meeting rooms and quiet spaces. These rooms are carefully designed to meet acoustic standards, ensuring optimal comfort for all staff to support concentration and efficiency.

The Stanley Place office features an energy-efficient lighting system that automatically adjusts based on natural light levels. This system helps reduce energy use while maintaining a comfortable and productive working environment. Our lighting also considers the impact of light pollution on the surrounding environment, helping us protect local wildlife, including marine animals.

At the Reef Authority, we are committed to providing a healthy and sustainable work environment for both our staff and visitors. As part of our Stanley Place interiors project, we have selected low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives, and carpets to minimise the impact on indoor air quality and reduce environmental harm.

By carefully choosing materials, we can limit the release of harmful vapours into the air, creating a safer and healthier workspace for everyone. Low-VOC products are less likely to cause respiratory issues, headaches, or skin irritation, contributing to better overall indoor air quality.

This thoughtful approach to material selection demonstrates our dedication to health and environmental responsibility. By prioritising these elements in office design, we are not only supporting the well-being of our people but also aligning with our broader sustainability goals—reducing harmful chemicals and promoting environmentally-friendly office solutions.

For more details about our sustainability efforts, watch our Sustainability video.

Engineered wood products offer environmental benefits, but some timber items that use adhesives may release VOCs. That’s why we carefully select furniture, cabinetry, and architectural elements that balance environmental responsibility with creating a healthy workspace. Low-VOC products, recognised by Green Star and certified through environmental product disclosures such as Global Green Tag, are a key part of our approach.

To further improve air quality, we incorporate strategic placements of indoor plants. Research shows that real plants not only enhance air quality but also provide a natural connection to the outdoors, which can boost productivity and well-being for building occupants. In an open-plan office, plants can also help with privacy and noise control.

We have chosen low-maintenance indoor plants suited to the environment and cared for by a local Townsville business.

By making these conscious choices, we create a healthier workspace that supports both our team and the planet.

Whenever possible, we’ve re-used equipment from our previous location, including sit-stand desks, meeting tables, and some IT equipment. The minimalist design approach also helped reduce material usage. For instance, we used polished concrete floors to eliminate the need for carpet. We chose carpet made from 100 per cent recycled nylon from a supplier with strong social and environmental credentials.

To ensure product sustainability, we rely on Green Star’s rigorous tool for assessing environmentally friendly products. This ensures we use verified, evidence-based claims and avoid greenwashing. Timber products were sourced from reclaimed materials and sustainably managed forests, and recycled content was used in furniture and fixtures. Environmental Product Disclosure statements provide transparency about the sustainability of our products.

Ergonomics is key to creating a workspace that promotes health, productivity, and safety. The Reef Authority worked with a certified ergonomist to recommend the best workstation design, especially since our office doesn’t have dedicated workstations for each employee. An in-person session with an occupational therapist taught staff how to properly set up their workspaces. Additionally, an ergonomics guidebook offers instructions on adjusting furniture and maintaining healthy posture for the head, neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, back, legs, and feet.

Good ergonomic design is recognised by Green Star and can significantly improve comfort and performance at work. Reducing physical strain through proper ergonomics results in safer, more efficient, and happier and healthier employees.

The Reef Authority has prioritised energy efficiency and renewable energy sources for over 15 years. Green Star recognises building designs that optimise energy use and integrate renewable energy. Our research shows that indoor temperature setpoints can greatly impact energy consumption, so we carefully design our systems to ensure a comfortable climate for occupants. Learn more about our research: Optimising energy use in an existing commercial building.

At Stanley Place, our lighting system is energy-efficient and controlled by a sophisticated computerised system. The lights automatically dim when there is plenty of natural light. The air-conditioning system also uses minimal energy and low-greenhouse gas refrigerants, while our open-plan office layout reduces energy needs for cooling. We selected energy-efficient appliances, including computers, fridges, dishwashers, and TVs, all rated highly for energy efficiency (Australian Energy Star Rating). This reduces emissions and lowers costs over time.

The Reef Authority is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030, in line with Australian Public Service goals. We're on track to meet this target by using renewable energy on-site and purchasing 100 per cent GreenPower renewable electricity, including for our electric vehicle fleet.

The Stanley Place building has achieved a NABERS Water rating of 3.5 stars and we continue to support improvement through water conservation efforts in our office spaces.

At the Reef Authority, we are committed to helping our staff choose sustainable travel options that are practical and available to them. We have been collecting data and consulting with staff about commuting habits since 2021 to make informed decisions on improving sustainability.

Guided by Green Star recommendations, we worked with experts to develop a structured approach to sustainable transport that meets both Green Star standards and the needs of our staff and operations at Stanley Place.
We involved staff early in the process, gathering input on their travel needs and habits. This feedback was used to inform our site and building selection criteria, ensuring easy access to public transport and providing end-of-trip facilities for cyclists and those using other green transport options.

The Reef Authority actively supports and promotes sustainable travel choices through initiatives like National Ride 2 Work Day, city rebates and discounts for greener transport, and sharing personal experiences with sustainable commuting methods.

By prioritising sustainable transport, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and encourage eco-friendly commuting options among our team.

Green Star recognises projects that go beyond standard sustainability benchmarks to achieve advanced design and environmental improvements. The Reef Authority is actively pursuing several innovation credits, including those for incorporating Indigenous design elements and meeting specific targets outlined in our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Additionally, we are seeking recognition for our efforts in local procurement.

The Stanley Place Interiors project played a key role in fulfilling important action items from the Reef Authority's RAP. Through close consultation with Traditional Owner groups and Indigenous staff, the project incorporated culturally significant initiatives to celebrate and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

As part of our RAP commitments, we co-designed meeting room names with Traditional Owner groups, installed acknowledgment plaques, showcased Indigenous artwork, and developed educational materials in collaboration with local communities. These efforts ensure the fit out honours and supports Indigenous heritage while aligning with our broader sustainability goals.