Sydney, Australia – Five stations built or upgraded as part of the $3.9 billion Regional Rail Link in Victoria have been awarded Green Star ratings. The Green Building Council Australia (GBCA) worked with the Regional Rail Link Authority to develop a groundbreaking custom rating tool to guide the sustainable design and construction of railway stations.

As a result, the upgrades to Footscray, West Footscray and Sunshine railway stations and the new railway stations in Wyndham Vale and Tarneit have all received 4 Star Green Star – Custom Design certification from the GBCA.

“These train stations are at the leading edge of sustainable design – and the people of Victoria now have independent, third-party proof that their community assets are efficient and future-proofed,” said the GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew.

Extensive natural light reduces the train stations’ reliance on electric lighting, while more than 100 solar panels provide power and heat water for each station. Energy-efficient LED lighting in car parks, forecourts, uncovered patron areas, and many internal areas, improve safety. Sensors automatically switch off or reduce the use of lighting and air-conditioning systems when they are not required.

Each train station uses energy and water meters to monitor consumption. Water-efficient taps, urinals and toilets reduce the reliance on potable water, while a rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater run-off from roofs, which is used to flush station toilets and wash platforms. Low water-use and native plant species have been planted in the garden beds around the station.

The Regional Rail Link has also won this year's Premier's Sustainability Award in the Infrastructure and Buildings category.