VicSuper: A super way to be more sustainable.
Leading multi employer public offer fund VicSuper has a central Victorian presence in the heritage surrounds of a former Christian Science reading room in Mackenzie Street, Bendigo.
Working within the constraints of the obvious heritage issues, the company has transformed its leased premises into a highly energy efficient office premises that is a shining example of what can be achieved for the future out of our respect for the past.
VicSuper participated in the Energy Efficiency in Industry Program to further its own sustainability principles, and after a series of workshops, information sessions and site visits from a qualified Origin Energy engineer, arrived at a list of 11 projects and initiatives to change and improve the energy efficiency of its Bendigo premises.
VicSuper’s Bendigo manager, Greg Chapman said architects engaged to assist with the refurbishment of the 19th century building accepted and adopted 10 of these ideas, including
• Individual air conditioning units for office spaces and meeting rooms,
• Energy efficient lighting fitted with sensors and voltage reduction controllers,
• Motion sensors, and
• A timer on the hot water service in the buildings’ kitchen.
Carpet throughout the building has been laid in removable squares, and VicSuper has several Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in its vehicle fleet with plans to roll out more of the low pollutant smart cars into the future.
“The overall savings we have achieved on our Bendigo premises might be small, but they are nonetheless important,” Greg Chapman said.
In 2003, VicSuper and EPA Victoria signed the world’s first voluntary sustainability covenant. This sustainability covenant is an agreement between VicSuper and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria to work together to protect the environment and to contribute to a more sustainable Victoria. VicSuper’s participation in the Energy Efficiency in Industry Program is a logical extension of this commitment to the environment.
Case study supplied by Business Development, City of Greater Bendigo
The Energy Efficiency in Industry Program is sponsored by the Victorian Government,
the City of Greater Bendigo, and Origin Energy.