Health Hub shows world-leading sustainability is possible in Central Australia

The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress’ new Mparntwe Health Hub has been awarded a 6-Star Green Star Design and As Built certification by the Green Building Council of Australia, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the Northern Territory.

The Health Hub is the first building in Central Australia to achieve both Design and As Built certifications, and, according to Green Star project records, the highest-rated Green Star building in the Northern Territory.

“Our job is to improve the health of Aboriginal people in Central Australia, and we recognise that the environment people live in is fundamental to health,” said Congress Chief Executive Ebony Abbott-McCormack.

“The healthcare industry is resource intensive, so when we had the opportunity to build the Health Hub, we wanted to make sure we were doing everything we reasonably could to reduce its environmental impact and better care for country.”

Green Star assesses a building’s sustainability across design, construction, and ongoing use. A 6-Star rating is the highest possible and recognises world-leading sustainability.

The rating examines energy and water efficiency, building materials, building waste, transport, climate resilience and how healthy and comfortable the building is for the people using it.

At the Mparntwe Health Hub, that means more natural light and fresh air, improved acoustics and temperature control, low-toxicity materials, the use of recycled and recyclable products, and reduced construction waste. The building’s central location also encourages walking and cycling, helping to minimise unnecessary travel.

Designed by Susan Dugdale and Associates and constructed by AS Build, the Health Hub was initially targeting a 5-Star rating.

“Achieving 6-Star design certification was a fantastic result, continuing the process to As Built certification is just as important,” Ms Abbott-McCormack said.

“It shows we didn’t just design a sustainable building – we actually delivered it.

“It also shows that being remote doesn’t mean lowering the bar. World-leading sustainable buildings can be delivered right here in Central Australia.”

The Health Hub is part of a wider sustainability direction set by the Congress board.

Across Congress buildings, solar is installed on eight buildings with a ninth on the way. Congress’ vehicle fleet has been reduced by 16 vehicles, and 15 electric vehicles have been introduced, resulting in more than 9,000 litres of fuel saved per year.

These measures also deliver ongoing cost savings, on top of the $1.1 million saved each year by consolidating multiple locations into the Health Hub. That means more investment into Congress’ primary objective – improving the health of Aboriginal people in Central Australia.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to work with Congress on a building where sustainability was treated as a core part of the project from the beginning,” lead architect Susan Dugdale said.

“Congress set the bar high, not just on environmental performance, but also for the health and wellbeing of the people who use the building. The 6-Star rating reflects that ambition and shows the kind of result you get when an organisation is truly invested to its community and place.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Tess O’Loughlin media@caac.org.au 0439 641 470