Defence is committed to sustainable environmental management. Applying ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles in Defence facilities development is key to achieving a sustainable relationship with the environment and creating a quality-working environment where Defence personnel are able to achieve superior outcomes.

To further the application of ESD in the Department, Defence became a Founding Board Member of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) in October 2002. Defence completed its initial two year term in November 2004. In its annual general meeting on 24 November 2004, the GBCA membership elected the Defence nominee as a Director on the GBCA Board for the next two years. Head Infrastructure is currently Defence representative on the Board.

Defence has an annual investment of approximately $350 million in the Defence capital works program and the Board membership positions Defence as a discerning purchaser of products and services from the property industry.

The building and construction industry recognises Defence leadership in promoting and delivering ESD outcomes. Defence participation in the GBCA is a partnership that has been delivering benefits to Defence, the GBCA, the property industry and the Australian community more generally since 2002.

The GBCA's mission is to define and develop a sustainable property industry in Australia and to drive the adoption of green building practices through market-based solutions. The GBCA's objective is to promote sustainable development and the transition of the property industry to implementing green building programs, technologies, design practice and operations.

Since its establishment, the GBCA has played a significant role in changing the culture of the property industry to embrace and achieve more sustainable outcomes. It has established a national Green Building rating system which has become an industry recognised benchmark for environmental leadership. The GBCA now has three office rating tools - office design, office as-built and office-interiors. It also has an ongoing program to develop more rating tools and other supporting products.

More than 100 organisations from a wide spectrum of the building and construction industry have joined the GBCA, including building product manufacturers, building owners, professional service providers, property developers, construction companies, Federal, State and Local government agencies and tertiary education institutions.

Defence is convinced that benefits accrue through continued involvement on the Board. These benefits include:

• positioning Defence as a leader in promoting and delivering ecologically sustainable development (ESD) outcomes;
• positioning Defence as a discerning purchaser of products and services from the property industry;
• a profile that supports our efforts to change Defence's internal culture to one that embraces a more holistic approach to the development of infrastructure;
• a recognised platform from which Defence will help shape the significant environmental reforms affecting the industry;
• the opportunity to shape the national Green Star rating systems so that they are of continuing benefit for Defence; and
• ongoing access to important sources of information and training on green buildings, including through the GBCA's affiliation with the World Green Building Council.

For further information on the GBCA, visit the GBCA web site www.gbcaus.org.