Gold sustainability certification for MCEC

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has been recognised for its sustainability practices, being awarded gold certification by leading tourism certification group EarthCheck.

MCEC received the recognition after its continued sustainability initiatives resulted in a reduction in energy consumption by 3.1 per cent – power savings equivalent to 1,363 four-person homes.

Plenary Group Chief Operating Officer Glenn Hay congratulated everyone from Plenary, facility manager Brookfield GIS and MCEC for their work to reduce the sustainability footprint of the facility.

“When built in 2009, the Melbourne Convention Centre was the world’s greenest convention centre,” Mr Hay said.

“Seven years on it’s great to see the commitments to sustainable practices are still being met, and in some cases, exceeded.

“MCEC continues to provide sustainable meeting and event options and is still considered Victoria’s most sustainable meeting venue.”

Mr Hay said MCEC has also managed to reduce waste by approximately 103,000 litres and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 36.7 per cent, equivalent to taking 5,355 cars off the road.

Plenary Group was the investor and financial arranger for the Melbourne Convention Centre project completed in 2009, and Plenary is responsible for maintaining MCEC for a 25-year concession period.

The Green Building Council of Australia awarded MCEC a 6 Star Green Star rating for the design of the centre, which set a global standard for convention centres.

A $300 million expansion commenced earlier this year sees Plenary partner with the Victorian Government to expand the convention centre, and to work with its private sector partners to develop a new 331-room hotel and multi-storey car park.

The expansion works started in May and are expected to be completed in the first half of 2018.

Executive Director, Communications
+61 3 8888 7754
+61 418 530 806
chris.whitefield@plenary.com