6 Star Green Star – Communities Recertification 2025

Launched by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) in 2003, Green Star is Australia’s largest voluntary sustainability rating system spanning a range of applications from individual fit outs to whole communities. Receipt of a 5 or 6 Star certification affirms a recipients’ position as a leader within the sustainability space.

The certification is driven by the Greater Curtin Master Plan, a transformational vision for Curtin’s Perth Campus with a view to enhance the student experience, attract business and industry partners and to position Curtin and Perth as a core component of a robust innovation ecosystem. The Exchange development, completed in early 2022, was the first precinct to be delivered in response to the Greater Curtin Master Plan.

Green Star – Communities is assessed on a matrix of 110 points across 33 credits encompassing Governance, Liveability, Economic Prosperity, Environment and Innovation.  Key credits that have contributed to Curtin’s recertification as a 6 Star Community are Liveability and Innovation, as addressed by the below initiatives:

Liveability

• Increased focus on providing sustainable buildings on campus, signified by achieving Green Star Buildings certification for five buildings on campus, including two 6 Star Design and As Built ratings for:
  • B418 School of Design & Built Environment and;
  • B105 T.L. Robertson Library
• Ongoing implementation of the Explore Curtin Place Activation Plan
• Increased access to fresh food and dining options on campus since delivery of the Exchange precinct
• Increased active transport accessibility provided by Curtin Central Bus Station and new bike storage and end of trip facilities within the Exchange precinct

The campus’ Liveability has also been strengthened through initiatives that celebrate and embed community culture, heritage and identity, including:

• The Indigenous Cultural Capabilities Framework which contains 2 levels of Cultural Immersion Experiences – designed to deepen understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices, knowledge and history
• The design and construction of the Yarning Circle; providing a cultural link between Curtin University and the Nowanup Bush Campus, as part of Curtin University’s Reconciliation Action Plan

Innovation

• Increased focus on Disability and access inclusion, including:
  • An updated Disability and Access Inclusion Plan (DAIP)
  • T.L. Robertson Library upgrades, including a Changing Place facility aligned with the global initiative, a low stimulation Resting Room and an Equity Room with equipment to support alternative learning requirements
• Working towards a Smart Precinct, supported by new metering guidelines that increase data availability and support ongoing strategic and operational sustainability decisions

Owing to the protracted nature of precinct and land developments, Green Star – Communities ratings require recertification every 5 years, with Curtin’s next reapplication taking place in 2030.

Key initiatives currently underway to strengthen Curtin’s position for future assessment include:

• Development of Curtin’s Biodiversity Management Plan
• Development and installation of a campus sustainability trail including four bird watering towers across campus
• Update of Curtin’s Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plan
• Continued implantation of outcomes informed by the Living Knowledge Stream
• Update to Curtin’s Integrated Transport & Movement Plan
• Continuous review of opportunities to innovate on campus