Sustainable building practice stacks up for Queenstown construction company

Sustainability is a key driver for a leading Queenstown-based construction company committed to building an eco-friendly future.

Rilean Construction, a multi award-winning commercial and residential construction company, is building on its growing reputation for sustainable construction by joining the ranks of the New Zealand Green Building Council. It is also in discussion with Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice to develop its current sustainable practices.

The company has recently delivered several successful eco-friendly projects, including Frankton’s Westpac Bank, and is currently completing a restoration and conservation project in Arrowtown featuring a range of energy management, recycling and eco-friendly measures in the fitout.

Rilean Construction shareholder Mick Moffatt says sustainability is an area of the company’s business that is growing fast, and sees the cultural change as a win-win situation.

“More and more clients have sustainability requirements for their buildings and fitouts which they want us to be able to deliver.

“As a company we’re committed to taking all practicable steps to help preserve and, where possible, improve the quality of the environment in which we live and work.

”Moving toward sustainable construction is a natural progression of our values and it also works in terms of personal and professional development. We’re always looking to improve our knowledge, skills and business practices so encourage our team to upskill.

“More comprehensive and varied skills allow us to expand into new areas of business and provide greater flexibility and expertise to our clients. The end result for everyone is hopefully greater sustainability and profitability in the future.”

Mr Moffatt believes no company should be too big to learn.

“We’re keen to link up with other likeminded businesses and share knowledge where possible. We’re also actively encouraging clients, suppliers, and other industry operators to work with us to ensure we achieve sustainable best practice standards for the structures we build and the processes we adopt.”

Rilean Construction has introduced a number of sustainable business initiatives including:
· A sustainable office policy

· Managing materials orders and pick-ups to minimise vehicle movements, and where possible, co-ordinating them with the disposal of waste materials

· Introducing a formal sustainable practice commitment and audit check of Rilean Construction’s operating procedures and those of its sub-contractors, particularly minimising waste and impact on the environment. The management team and project managers then identify where gains have been made and what can be improved in the future

· Advocating use of sustainable materials including the use of timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

For more information about Rilean Construction or its sustainable practice policy visit www.rilean.co.nz.

ENDS

About Rilean Construction
Rilean Construction, established 28 years ago, won the Tourism and Leisure Project Gold Award and the Commercial Project of the Year Award for its work on a $13m renovation of the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside hotel. The awards were for the Southern Region of the Master Builders Association.

Recent projects include the redevelopment of Queenstown’s iconic and historic Mountaineer building on behalf of developer Westwood Group Holdings, and the Kawarau Falls development.

About the New Zealand Green Building Council
The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) is a not-for-profit, industry organisation dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of market-based green building practices. The Council achieves these aims through:
- Setting standards of best practice through the adaptation of the Green Star rating tool
- Education and training for all areas of the building industry value chain
- Providing enablers for our members to actively lead the market
The NZGBC was established in July 2005 and in 2006 became a member of the World Green Building Council (WGBC). The WGBC is an international not-for-profit organisation that aims to move the global property industry and built environment towards sustainability, with Green Building Councils being established in various countries around the world.