Situated between two World Heritage listed areas, the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest it is important the Cairns Convention Centre maintains stringent environmental controls.
From the design of our venue, the use of the latest energy efficient technologies to the adoption of sustainable operating practices, the Cairns Convention Centre is committed to being as environmentally sustainable as possible.
Design features of the Centre
The Cairns Convention Centre expansion was designed from a passive strategy first for sustainability. The external screen façade is an important part of a passive sustainability approach. All of the screens have been calculated to resolve the sun angles as it’s rising through the day and at different times of the year. The orientation of the blades is all resolved via computer modelling and they change from the south to the north as it has different solar exposure. This includes the frequency of the blades, they are calculated and arranged for maximum performance.
Rain Water Storage
Reduction
Cairns Convention Centre’s double layer pleated plate roof is designed to capture the seasonal tropical downpours, and channel rainwater directly into storage tanks.
Flow Restrictors
Reduction
The Centre’s water usage is modified further by the installation of water flow restrictors on all outlets.
Solar Hot Water
Reduction
Solar hot water heaters provide between 30% and 35% of the Centre’s hot water needs.
Shading Devices
Reduction
Shading devices are installed along the eastern side of the structure, reducing the level of air conditioning needed to keep the building cool.
Other environmentally sustainable features of the centre include:
- Rainwater storage for plant irrigation (tank approx. 200,000L capacity)
- Biophilic design incorporating a living green façade
- High performance glazing with Low E film coating increasing energy efficiency by up to 30%
- 1200 sun blades and living green façade optimised to reduce direct sunlight onto façade, reducing heat gain and increasing thermal efficiency.
- Two electric vehicle charging stations
- New chillers and BMS across providing more energy efficient equipment and controls.
- Energy efficient fans
- Landscaping with a minimum of 50% native plants to improve local biodiversity
- Heat reducing elements through design features including shading, planting over façade and high-performance glass
- Energy Efficiency through LED lighting with motion sensors
- Water saving measures through low-flow fitting and fixtures and moisture sensitive irrigation of planting
- E-water (electrolysed water) in lieu of chemicals for food safety sterilisation.
Reforest Program
Events held at Cairns Convention Centre can utilise the Reforest program organised by Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Through the program delegates help eliminate the event’s carbon impact by supporting localised tree planting and revegetation programs, like the endangered Mabi rainforest which is the home of the Lumholtz tree kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands.
Other environmentally sustainable features of the centre include:
- Compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and adhering to all required standards and benefits.
- Setting and communicating environmental objectives to reduce natural resources used and minimise adverse environmental impacts
- Incorporating sustainability principles in current and future policy, procedure and decision making processes
- Aid regeneration through supporting locally accredited environmental organisations as a means to off setting clients, delegates and our own footprint and assisting the sustainability for future generations
- Continually review, monitor and reduce the Centre’s impact on the environment by assessing and setting targets on energy consumption, water consumption, waste production, paper, cleaning and pesticide use by reducing, recycling and reusing
- Encourage and engage staff, suppliers and other partners whom have similar environmental philosophies
Earth Check
The Cairns Convention Centre has achieved the Bronze Benchmarking Accreditation through EarthCheck, the world's leading environmental management and professional services group for the travel and tourism industry. To find out more about Earthcheck visit their website.
