Media Release

Bank of Melbourne’s flagship branch at 525 Collins Street has achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Interiors rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), making it the first 6 Star Green Star bank branch in Victoria.

This comes after Bank of Melbourne, through Westpac Group, achieved carbon neutral certification for its operations.

Green Star is an internationally-recognised sustainability rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit-outs and communities.

The Bank of Melbourne branch is the first Victorian bank branch to receive the coveted 6 Star rating. It was assessed across nine categories and recognised for the following sustainable elements:

• A high quality indoor environment, with high levels of daylight, acoustic comfort and materials and paints low in toxic chemicals
• 95% of the entire branch is naturally ventilated
• A lifecycle assessment found a 161 per cent reduction in key environmental impacts - including greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion - when compared with a baseline building

Westpac’s Australian-based business is certified as carbon neutral by the Australian Government under the National Carbon Offset Standard. This certification includes all Bank of Melbourne tenancies, including 525 Collins Street.

The GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew, said 6 Star Green Star is the highest possible rating, reflecting ‘World Leadership’ in sustainable interior fit-outs.

“This 6 Star Green Star rating is positive proof that Bank of Melbourne has created a working environment that is not only good for the environment, but for people too.

“Bank of Melbourne’s 525 Collins Street branch is a healthy and productive working environment, that demonstrates a long-term commitment to social responsibility.

“By training every person who worked on the project – from the plumbers and plasterers to electricians and engineers – on how to deliver sustainable fit-outs, Bank of Melbourne has also contributed to industry upskilling,” Ms Madew added.

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive, Michelle Winzer, said the certification further demonstrates Bank of Melbourne’s focus on innovation to provide employees and customers with a great place to work and bank.

“We are delighted that Bank of Melbourne is the first retail bank in Victoria to achieve a 6 Star Green Star rating and that our branches throughout the state have been certified as carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard,” Ms Winzer said.

“Bank of Melbourne is committed to supporting a healthy and productive workplace for our people and customers as well as contributing to better environmental outcomes.”