Local: Kensington has achieved the first 6 Star Green Star Design Review for an Australian build to rent development

We’ve got some fantastic news. Local’s inaugural project has achieved a Green Star Design Review rating and is on track to receive a 6 Star Green Star – Design & As Built v1.3 Rating! In a nutshell, Green Star is the internationally recognised crème de la crème of Australian sustainability ratings and GBCA consider this achievement showcases World Leadership with 6-Star being reserved for highly efficient buildings fully powered by renewables.

GBCA Senior Manager of Buildings, Precincts and Homes, Nick Alsop congratulated Local: Kensington for achieving the first 6 Star Green Star Design Review rating for a build-to-rent project. 

“This landmark achievement sets a new benchmark in sustainable living and showcases the potential of build-to-rent developments to lead the way in environmental responsibility. Local: Kensington’s commitment to sustainability not only benefits the residents but also paves the way for future projects to follow. We are proud to recognise their outstanding contribution to creating a greener, more resilient built environment.”

What’s the Big Deal About Green Star?

Green Star ratings are more than just shiny logos—they’re a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s sustainability. Developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), these ratings cover everything from design and construction to operation, fit-outs, and community integration. Importantly, they cover a wholesale topic of sustainability, which is consistently in the top 4 drivers of target rental audiences in considering a move into a BTR building.

Local’s Co-CEO Dan McLennan said:

“We are very proud to be the first and only BTR project to have achieved a 6-Star Design & As Built Rating. It was not necessarily a project target but happened to be aligned with where how we wanted to design and run the asset, so made complete sense.

Local: Kensington has a number of initiatives that we think are incredibly innovative such as water recycling, green power and 100% electrification. What is perhaps most impressive however is the 200kw Solar PV system which we believe is the largest system to ever be fitted to a residential building in Australia.”

Kensington for achieving the first 6 Star Green Star Design Review rating for a build-to-rent
project. 

So, what’s our secret sauce? Three key ingredients: net-zero design, innovative materials, and
smart water use. Let’s dive into the details.

Net Zero Living

From the get-go, we’ve been laser-focused on keeping our carbon footprint to the bare minimum.

Since 2023, we’ve proudly held the Climate Active carbon neutral certification, meaning our
business operations are as green as it gets. And we’re not stopping there. By 2030, we aim to
slash our upfront carbon footprint by 40%. This is where our buildings come in. Solar panels?
Check. 100% Green Power? Absolutely. Electric everything? You bet! Recycling water for our
gardens and landscaping? Definitely. We’re all about renewables, recyclables, and reusable.

Material Innovation

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us: it’s built within the DNA of the business. We’re all about sourcing healthier, non-toxic materials that are kind to the planet and the people who produce them. We partner with local suppliers where we can to source recyclable and durable materials. This is great for reducing emissions and fantastic for supporting our community.

Water Conservation

Water is precious, and we treat it that way. Our buildings are decked out with water-saving
features like low-flow fixtures and drought-resistant landscaping. We even catch and reuse
rainwater. It’s all part of our commitment to smart water use and keeping our green spaces lush and thriving.

So, there you have it. Local: Kensington is not just a place to live; it’s a statement about the kind of future we want to build—one that’s sustainable and community-orientated. Stay tuned for more updates on our Green Star journey!