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Energy & water efficiency | Construction progress
Wannon Water is currently completing construction of a new regional office in Warrnambool. The office building - "40 Gateway" - will address an urgent need for improved office conditions for employees and will be a flagship for water and energy efficient building design in South-West Victoria, demonstrating Wannon Water's leadership in sustainability.
Wannon Water's Warrnambool employees are currently accommodated in cramped conditions across four separate buildings. The construction of 40 Gateway will allow Wannon Water to consolidate from four offices into a single office, providing employees with a vastly improved work environment, resulting in both social, environmental and productivity benefits.
The building design incorporates ecologically sustainable features and a 5-star energy rating under the NABERS Energy for Offices scheme.
 Energy and water efficiency at 40 Gateway
As well as addressing the current cramped conditions for Warrnambool employees across four locations, and further increasing productivity, 40 Gateway will showcase how water and energy saving design features can be incorporated into a large commercial building.
The building will deliver a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 50 per cent reduction in water consumption for office accommodation. Recycling targets for materials used during the construction period have also been established, extending sustainability outcomes within the supply chain.
Saving water
The new building will reduce water consumption by 50%. Rain run-off from building walls and paved areas,and rainwater collected on the roof will be used for
flushing toilets and garden watering. Stormwater will be filtered to improve the water quality before it is discharged into the water mains.
Saving energy
The building orientation and shape will maximise the benefits of thermal and natural light, thermal mass concrete walls will provide insulation and store heat for reuse, and solar panels will capture energy for inside use. A ‘night purge’ system will allow cool air in at night and the previous day’s heat to escape.
Further information on the ecologically sustainable design features of 40 Gateway is available via the following downloads:
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Construction progress
Wannon Water awarded the contract to construct 40 Gateway to Kirway Construction Pty Ltd in March 2009, with the construction works beginning in April 2009.
Construction is progressing well, with employees expected to relocate to the new office building in September 2010.
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