VENUE

Construction of Melbourne's green convention centre underway
30/5/2006
Construction of Melbourne’s Exhibition Convention Centre has begun, with hopes of it becoming one of Australia’s most environmentally friendly landmarks when it opens in three years time.
The convention centre is part of a ￡407m wider development that will include a five-star hotel, office, residential properties and a shopping mall.
The 66,000sqm centre will feature a 5,000 seat plenary hall, a ballroom and 32 meeting rooms.
It hopes to achieve a "six-star" environmental rating based on a criteria that includes energy and water efficiency, indoor environment quality, waste avoidance and resource conservation.
The evaluation is awarded through a partnership between two leading Australian environmental bodies: the Sustainable Energy Authority and the Green Building Council of Australia.
MECC chief executive Leigh Harry said the green element of the centre would ensure environmental efficiency became a key part of venue selection process.
"The MECC will heavily market the centre’s green credentials, putting greater importance on environmental considerations in the international conventions and meetings marketplace," he said.