Sustainability features include passive solar design, efficient HVAC and lighting, and smart controls. A 50 kW solar PV system and 60 kWh battery supply around 50% of annual energy needs. Embodied carbon is reduced through recycled materials, reused timber, and durable, low-toxicity finishes. Water use is reduced by over 30% via rainwater harvesting and efficient systems. The open-format design and at-grade parking support future adaptability, while daylight access and fresh air ventilation enhance indoor environmental quality.

9 Dempster Avenue, Ferntree Gully, Victoria

5300 m² gross floor area (2,967 m² renovated and extended facility occupying a site of 17400 m² )

Architect – Architect K20

Building Surveyor –Hendry Group Pty Ltd

Service Engineers – SDP Consulting Pty Ltd

Structural / Civil Engineers – Cardno

Landscape – Hansen

Land Surveyors – Land Dimensions

Access Consultants – Functional Access Solutions Pty Ltd

Traffic Consultants – Traffix Group

ESD Consultants – Co-Perform Pty Ltd

Arborist – Treelogic Pty Ltd

4 Star (best practice) Green Star Design & As Built v1.3 rating

Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards 2024 – Sport and Climate Change

This project has been assessed against the Elevating ESD Targets objectives and standards. It is considered to have met the objectives and/or all the standards in the following category.

The extension to the Knox Regional Netball Centre demonstrates how upgrades to existing community facilities can deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes. The fully electric extension operates with zero fossil fuels and is powered through a 100% renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA). A 50 kW rooftop solar PV system, paired with a 60 kWh Redflow battery system, supplies around 50% of the extension’s annual energy needs (68,217 kWh), supporting evening operations and emergency backup. This system earned Green Star Innovation points for exceeding a 30% renewable energy contribution.

Energy efficiency is embedded throughout the extension’s design, with passive solar features such as shaded north-facing glazing, high-performance insulation, thermally broken elements, and efficient glazing. Zoned HVAC systems allow targeted heating and cooling, supported by energy recovery ventilation and 100% fresh air delivery. The extension includes LED lighting, smart Building Management System (BMS) controls, heat pump hot water systems, and appliances selected within one star of the best available rated options. The roof is optimised for solar generation with a 3° pitch and minimal shading, and the electrical systems and service areas are designed to support a future expansion of existing energy storage.

This project reflects Knox City Council’s commitment to climate action, delivering a high-performance extension and upgrade to an existing facility that aligns with its Climate Response Plan and Sustainable Buildings Policy.

The project also has exemplary design outcomes in the following categories:

The project takes an integrated approach to reducing embodied carbon through material selection and design. Recycled brick is used in the subfloor, and Portland cement in civil concrete is reduced by 30%, replaced with lower-impact alternatives like fly ash and slag. Durable, low-impact materials are prioritised – 90% of key components avoid PVC or meet best practice standards, and 6% of products meet sustainability criteria. The building owner commits to a fitout lifecycle of at least 10 years, with the exception of minor wear and tear or repairs, supporting long-term reuse and reduced replacement. Certified and reused timber further enhances recyclability.

The large open-format design, combined with at-grade car parking, supports future adaptive reuse by enabling access to daylight, natural ventilation, and flexible reconfiguration for a range of potential uses.

The project cuts potable water use by approximately 30% through smart design choices like collecting rainwater from 2,600 sqm of roof space and storing 270,000 L for toilet flushing, irrigation, and bin washing. Efficient fixtures and air-cooled HVAC systems also help reduce water demand.

Water is used wisely across the site, with fire-test water reused, drought-tolerant landscaping, and efficient irrigation systems supported by rain sensors and timers. Rain gardens and litter traps further support water-sensitive urban design.

Rain garden swales clean water before it leaves the site, removing 97.4% of total suspended solids, 99.2% of gross pollutants like litter, 86.5% of total nitrogen, 81.4% of total phosphorus, and 90% of petroleum hydrocarbons – helping protect downstream waterways and meeting best practice standards.

The Netball Centre supports thermal comfort and energy efficiency through high-performance glazing, insulation, and passive design, including seasonally shaded north and east-facing glazing. The ventilation system supplies 100% fresh air via heat recovery, enhancing indoor air quality and reducing emissions. External lighting is controlled by daylight sensors and time clocks to minimise energy use. Multiple skylights ensure the netball playing area receives adequate daylight. Additionally, the project commits to using low-toxicity materials – such as paints, adhesives, and engineered wood – verified against Green Building Council of Australia’s Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and formaldehyde limits to protect occupant health and ecosystems.