Northshore Brisbane awarded world-leading 6 Star Green Star sustainability rating

The stars are shining on Northshore Brisbane with the city’s premier riverfront precinct formally recognised as a world-leading sustainable community.

Northshore Brisbane’s (Central) precinct has achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Communities certified rating, acknowledging the sustainability innovations ingrained in its design.

From a walkable master plan to climate-resilient design, Northshore Brisbane exemplifies cutting-edge sustainability and leading lifestyle strategies.

An initiative of the Green Building Council of Australia, Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places.

A 6 Star Green Star rating is its highest accolade and represents world leadership in sustainability, setting new benchmarks for the building industry globally.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) CEO Debbie McNamara said the top rating was a testament to Northshore Brisbane’s considered and strategic approach to sustainability.

“It is incredibly exciting to be recognised for developing a precinct that is not only vibrant and vital to the fabric of Brisbane but also making a positive impact on the planet,” Ms McNamara said.

“This 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating ranks Northshore Brisbane among the country’s most sustainable and liveable neighbourhoods and precincts.

“EDQ’s vision is to create and invest in sustainable places for Queensland to prosper and to build communities where people love to live.

“Northshore Brisbane’s future-focused planning and design cultivates a positive and healthy lifestyle and creates an inspiring community that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Northshore Brisbane’s expansive central development area – between the existing Portside Wharf and Hamilton Reach footprints and north to Curtin Avenue West and MacArthur Avenue – achieved the top rating for its revolutionary approach to:

• Governance – strong leadership that promotes engagement, transparency, community and industry capacity building, and climate resiliency.
• Liveability – delivering a safe, accessible and culturally rich community with a healthy and active lifestyle, and high levels of amenity, activity and inclusiveness.
• Economic prosperity – encouraging affordable living and housing, investing in education and skills development, and greater productivity through the digital economy.
• Environment – reducing the impacts of development on land, water and the atmosphere.
• Innovation – implementing innovative practices, processes and strategies that promote sustainability.

The vision driving Brisbane’s connected, sustainable and welcoming riverfront precinct is to adapt and evolve with consideration and care as it grows.

From its earliest stage, Northshore Brisbane was planned with one eye on celebrating and enhancing its Indigenous, industrial and maritime past and the other on a clean, green and smart future.

Once an abundant hunting area known as Yerrol by the Turrbal and Jagera people, the influence and contribution of Indigenous culture continue to shape the precinct through partnerships and co-design.

From storytelling and placemaking to public artwork, culturally significant vegetation and historical initiatives, Northshore Brisbane is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for First Nations communities.

In its recent past, the precinct was home to the bustling Hamilton wharves.

A sustainable focus on waste management and recycling is employed during construction and demolition activities, including integrating historic materials within new infrastructure.

That focus continually expands as the precinct grows with state-of-the-art waste minimisation and circular economy practices adopted.

Also leading the precinct into the future is low carbon energy and building materials, energy-efficient design principles, Nature Positive habitat and biodiversity management and Water Sensitive Urban Design principles.

A major consideration is reducing the impact of the heat island effect and climate change heat-risk through sun-smart urban design and eco-friendly building materials and achieving a target of 80 per cent shade coverage on street verges (including footpaths and bikeways) by planting large canopy passively irrigated native vegetation.

This target complements Northshore Brisbane’s active living strategy with a continuous walkable waterfront, a well-designed network of walking and cycle paths, public shaded areas, expansive green recreation spaces, active transport and e-mobility solutions and accessible and inclusive universal design.

Central to this vision of sustainability is a robust public transport network, integrating bus, ferry, and rail services. Existing transport options include bus routes along Kingsford Smith Drive, ferry services at Bretts Wharf and Northshore Hamilton terminals, and nearby rail connections via Doomben Station. Future plans are set to further enhance connectivity, with proposals for improved public transport infrastructure and the potential addition of a third ferry terminal, ensuring seamless access to Brisbane’s broader public transport network and promoting sustainable travel choices for residents and visitors alike.

Follow us on our social channels to discover more about our world-class sustainability initiatives and community innovations.