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SustainabilitySustainability

Sustainability

Sustainability at Barangaroo is more than a commitment; it is a philosophy embedded into master planning, design, construction and Barangaroo’s day-to-day management and activities. Barangaroo was Australia’s first certified carbon neutral precinct under the Climate Active initiative Through a combination of benchmarking, policies and innovative technology, Barangaroo sets a new Australian standard in urban renewal and sustainable construction.  

Benchmarking sustainability at Barangaroo

From concept to day-to-day operations, sustainability at Barangaroo is a commitment to: 

  • reducing and offsetting all energy  
  • recycling and exporting more water than the drinking water that is imported 
  • responsibly managing waste, diverting waste from landfill and ensuring zero waste emissions 
  • providing a place that enhances community wellbeing. 

Each designer and developer involved in Barangaroo is committed to sustainable materials and practices that set up future building owners, tenants and sub-tenants to meet sustainability benchmarks.  

From this commitment, long-term sustainability is managed from a government to individual level. 

1. CARBON NEUTRALITY

Benchmark 1: Reducing and offsetting all energy used on the site.

Carbon neutrality is ensured, with: 

  • all electricity used on site offset by renewable energy generated offsite 
  • fuel used on site and for transport to and from Barangaroo offset with socially responsible carbon offsets programs based in Australia, mainly from regional NSW 
  • energy used to power public areas and an on-site wastewater recycling plant powered by the solar energy generated in Barangaroo 
  • large-scale centralised infrastructure built into service buildings, including a District Cooling Plant, embedded electricity network, recycled water treatment plant, on-site renewable energy generation and a low voltage co-generation plant 
  • cost effective and energy efficient air conditioning through the District Cooling Plant, whereby water from Sydney Harbour helps to reject heat from buildings, passing through a series of screens, filters and strainers to protect and filter out marine life then pumping through electric chillers to absorb waste heat before being returned to the harbour. 

Barangaroo is a proud Climate Active Network Member. For more information, please visit the Climate Active website.

2. WATER POSITIVE

Benchmark 2: Recycling and exporting more water than the drinking water that is imported 

As a ‘water wise’ precinct, Barangaroo uses: 

  • a water treatment plant that treats wastewater and supplies non-drinking water for uses like irrigation  
  • the ability to mine the adjacent public sewer for additional recycled water 
  • extensive water storage tanks to capture rainwater across 
  • the District Cooling Plant, which avoids using drinking water to reject heat from the buildings, removing the biggest single demand for water use in conventional commercial buildings 
  • a leading-edge water re-use system for Barangaroo Reserve that captures, stores and re-uses rainwater for irrigation 
  • water efficient appliances in every building. 

3. ZERO WASTE EMISSIONS

Benchmark 3: Responsibly managing waste, diverting waste from landfill and ensuring zero waste emissions 

Waste is managed sustainably, with:  

  • more than 80% of operational waste from residential and commercial buildings diverted from landfill 
  • all tenants and building owners obliged to use waste management contractors that responsibly handle and dispose of waste and offset emissions  
  • waste generated across all buildings sorted into 19 categories in the centralised waste storage centre.  

4. COMMUNITY WELLBEING

Benchmark 4: Providing a place that enhances community wellbeing. 

Barangaroo is a place that supports people, with:  

  • more than 50% of the site dedicated public open space (this does not include roads, laneways and footpaths) 
  • connections to Sydney’s CBD through Barangaroo Ferry Wharf, Wynyard Walk and two pedestrian bridges over Hickson Road 
  • connections to the rest of Greater Sydney with a dedicated Barangaroo Metro Station expected to open in 2024 
  • the new Wulugul Walk that forms part of the continuous urban waterfront walk from Woolloomooloo to the Anzac Bridge 
  • cultural tours that help people to understand Sydney’s First Nations and maritime history as well as contemporary First Nations culture 
  • skilled exchange programs, embedded in development agreements, that train and support people with on-site experience 
  • the Discover Barangaroo online learning portal for high school students, with a focus on history, environmental sustainability, social sustainability and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  
Public SpacesPublic Spaces

Public spaces

At least 50% of Barangaroo is public open space that everyone can access. 

BarangarooBarangaroo

Art and Culture

Find out how consultation, sustainable funding and a commitment to art and culture embeds creativity and interest.

BarangarooBarangaroo

Design Excellence

The mix of architecture at Barangaroo draws from the talent of seasoned and upcoming local and international designers and a dedication to design excellence.

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