Murdoch University

Environmental Design Building Policy

Policy Statement

Murdoch University will minimise its environmental impacts by requiring on-campus buildings to incorporate best practice environmental design and energy saving principles in the siting, material selection and management of buildings.

Environmental design and energy saving principles will be incorporated throughout all the planning and management stages and shall apply to all new buildings and significant alterations to existing buildings.

Policy Objectives

Murdoch University's environmental building policy aims to:

• Encourage the adoption of conservation principles in the built form.

• Raise awareness within Murdoch University and the wider community of environmental issues and demonstrate the application of sound environmental building principles through the design, planning and management of buildings on campus.

• Employ environmental conservation principles in the selection of building materials by determining the environmental impacts in all the stages of material lifecycles.

• Reduce dependence on non-renewable energy resources in buildings, through the application of energy-saving design concepts and technologies.

• Integrate the natural and built environment in a harmonious and environmentally sensitive landscape.

• Raise awareness of Murdoch University as a leading source of theoretical and applied environmental building expertise internationally.

• Ensure the construction of attractive buildings with healthy indoor environments.

Policy Principles

Murdoch University has an outstanding reputation in the community for environmental science and management of its campuses. The University's future student recruitment and consultancy work in this important field is dependent on retaining and enhancing the University’s image as a leader in environmental initiatives in Western Australia.

• The following environmental building and life cycle analysis principles will guide the development of new buildings and significant alterations to existing buildings:

• Embodied energy considerations in the selection and use of materials.

• Materials derived from renewable resources.

• The internal use of materials with a low toxicity.

• The re-use of materials and the use of recycled goods or goods with a recycled component in the construction of buildings within the University;

• Passive solar considerations in the design, planning and placement of buildings;

• Energy conservation and alternative energy sources in the choice and application of technologies;
• Encourage a reduction in car dependency by considering the positioning of buildings in relation to transport facilities;

• Maintain high standards of environmental health and safety on the campuses both indoors and outside;

• Educate and assist employees, and contractors about environmental policies and practices;

• Support the use of rainwater harvesting technologies and techniques.

• Encourage water re-cycling, re-use and conservation in the choice and application of technologies.

Policy Implementation

This policy will be implemented at the planning and concept stage and will be reflected in tender documentation and contractor arrangements.

Monitoring and Auditing

Relevant performance standards will be determined for individual buildings, through the use of established environmental design principles, in the absence of a universally recognised and adopted software tool for assessment of environmental performance.

Authorised By:

Signed by VC on behalf of the senate.

Responsibilities

It remains the responsibility of the Office of Facilities Management to implement the principles of this policy with guidance from the Murdoch University Environmental Committee.

Related policies and procedures

Murdoch University's Principle Environmental Policy
All relevant building design tender specifications