Clean and green

DANDENONG’S government services office is among five finalists for a national award.
The Property Council of Australia Innovation and Excellence Awards will be announced in Sydney on 18 May.
The eight-storey Dandenong project on the corner of Walker and Thomas streets is up against four from New South Wales for Best Office Development.
The Grocon-developed and built centre opened in April last year and houses about 1000 staff from government departments.
It has a six Star Green Star rating for design and is a key Revitalising Central Dandenong project. The State Government and Places Victoria are leading the major urban renewal initiative.
The building includes an underground car park and staff bicycle facilities, cantilevered upper levels to harness and avoid sunlight, and large communal spaces including a landscaped roof terrace.
Sustainability features include timber salvaged from trees destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfires, an underfloor air distribution system, rainwater and grey water retention and re-use, solar hot water and waterless urinals.