Australia’s most green-friendly hotel calls Melbourne its home

The new Holiday Inn Express is expected to consume 25 percent less energy

Having achieved the five-star NABERS clean energy rating, boutique investment firm Pro-invest officially welcomed guests to the Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank, the most environment-friendly hotel in Australia on February 6, reported the HM.

The 22-storey project consumes 25 percent less energy compared to similar properties. It is the first commercial hotel to be supported by government-owned Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC),

Situated on City Road in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, the 345-room hotel will incorporate green initiatives, including energy-regenerating elevator drives, high-performance window glazing, air-cooled chillers, solar photovoltaic systems, condensing boilers, refillable dispensers for bathroom amenities, and use of non-plastic utensils and water bottles.

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The Holiday Inn Express will be part of a mixed-use development that will house 4,500 square metres of commercial space and 370 sqm retail space.

Ronald Barrott, CEO of Pro-invest, said that it was crucial for their new hotel to set an example in integrating energy-saving technology for the future of the industry.

“By its very nature, the hotel industry is a high energy user, with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership estimating that tourism contributes about 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. It’s important for new hotels to invest in energy-efficient design and construction, and incorporate state-of-the-art environmental measures across the full-operation of the hotel.”

“A 25 percent reduction in energy-use pays both environmental and economic dividends. It certainly requires greater investment, but in the long-term, we are very confident that the measures will increase the overall value of the property,” he concluded.