The use of default Design Occupancy from Green Star Legacy tools is not an acceptable method of calculating Design Occupancy for speculative developments.  For speculative developments it is common for the developer / client to provide a Building Performance Specification or similar document which outlines the development’s requirements for the design team. The Design Occupancy referred to in the Building Performance Specification or similar should be used consistently as the basis for calculations for all relevant credits.

The following alternative Compliance Requirements can be used and applied holistically for Credit 1.1 Green Star Accredited Professional:

1. GSAP engagement from Green Star registration, or within one month following (rather than from schematic design);

2. GSAP certificate validity from Green Star registration to construction completion; and

3. GSAP involvement. To demonstrate GSAP involvement there must be at least one GSAP that:

• is part of the team delivering the Green Star certification from registration to completion;
• is listed as a ‘Project Contact’ for the purpose of communication with NZGBC; and
• Provides advice, guidance and support from project registration through to certification, by ensuring the project team has access to the information covering Green Star principles, structure, timing and process including:
  • eligibility
  • environmental categories
  • points allocation and scores
  • documentation and compliance requirements
  • technical questions
  • certification process
  • Green Star branding and marketing rules

• deliver at least one workshop addressing the topics above; OR the GSAP plans the Green Star submission and targets with the project team using the Submission Planner, Submission Guidelines and/or other relevant information;
• participating in meetings/workshops with the design and construction team; Note: the GSAP does not need to attend all design and construction meetings. However, if the GSAP does not attend they are responsible for reviewing the meeting minutes to ensure appropriate Green Star advice, guidance and support is provided, to support the Green Star certification process.
• reviewing all documentation for compliance; and
• be responsible for the preparation and execution of the Green Star submission(s) for certification.

The GSAP involvement tasks outlined above may be carried out by more than one GSAP. The GSAP role can be shared by multiple professionals involved in the project. This is acceptable as long as each GSAP individually meets the requirements above (apart from the workshop requirement) and this role has been fulfilled continually from registration to practical completion.

Documentation Requirements - at Design Review, and As Built Stage:

• Submission template
• GSAP Certificate(s)
• Letter of appointment of a GSAP from Green Star registration, or within one month following, with scope of works
  • as per Compliance Requirements OR as per the above GSAP involvement.
• Sample minutes or other written correspondence of the GSAP with the design and construction team, addressing the GSAP involvement.
• Letter from the client confirming the GSAP satisfactorily fulfilled their engagement responsibilities as per the scope of works.

Can energy metering of distinct uses be based off electricity demand rather than energy?

Yes. In regard to energy meters for Metering Distinct Uses or Floors, NZGBC approves the criteria to be amended to "where the electrical load for a single item exceeds 5% of the total electricity (power) demand for the project, or 100kW, it must be individually metered". 

This is based on the understanding that the overarching metering strategy for Green Star is to ensure that all significant loads are individually metered.

Carpet underlay should be included as flooring for the purpose of the credit criteria Responsible Materials: Permanent Formwork, Pipes, Flooring, Blinds and Cables"

For the Nominated Area, toilets and end-of-trip facilities should be defined as Tertiary spaces.

Climate Adaptation Plan:

If an organisation or corporation has a Climate Adaptation Plan process in-house, that process needs to be referenced by the project covered under the organisational Climate Adaptation Plan. The compliance requirements outlined under 3.1.5 Implementation of the Climate Adaptation Plan must be addressed on an individual project level.

Risk Assessments:

The National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) guidelines is recommended for New Zealand project teams to undertake risk assessments to achieve this Green Star credit.

The assessment of climate change related impacts needs to be considered for the rated building’s design and construction only. It should not go beyond the boundary of the rated building

The exhaust ventilation flow rate for a print and/or photocopy room must be at least 5l/s/m2 AND at least 10% greater than the supply rate of air. This ensures the space is negatively pressurised and pollutants do not escape to neighbouring areas. 

For bike parking, staff bicycle spaces do not need to be separate from general public spaces, provided they are secure.

Visitor spaces do not need to be under cover.

The NZGBC notes that the stratospheric ozone depletion potential (ODP) of many materials has decreased in response to the Montreal Protocol. As a result, the capacity to demonstrate improvement in this category has substantially decreased, impacting the total points achievable in the  Life Cycle Assessment credit. The NZGBC allows project teams to now exclude the ODP impact category from the life cycle assessment. For projects using the Life Cycle Assessment Calculator, the rows for the ODP impact category can be left blank so that it is not included in the calculation of points for the credit. 

Skylights are not considered external for the Light Pollution credit. Where luminaires are mounted within an atrium or skylight, these must be included as an external light source.