Byron Central Hospital - More than just GREEN

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Healthcare operators are increasingly embracing the trend towards environmentally, socially and financially sustainable hospitals, recognising the positive impact it has, not only on the environment but also on patients, staff and the wider community.

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In the health space, this can mean integrating views to nature to reduce patient recovery times, carefully planning way-finding to improve staff morale or engaging with local schools to support learning.
The recently completed Byron Central Hospital at Ewingsdale is a good example of combining environmental and social initiates to deliver a truly sustainable hospital. Brookfield Multiplex completed Byron Central Hospital earlier this year. It incorporates a range of green principles to provide an important piece of social infrastructure to the Byron Shire community and the many visitors to the area.
Byron Central Hospital brings together a variety of enhanced acute care and integrated community based services including nursing, allied health, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
Designed by architect Nettleton Tribe, the 9,400 square metre complex comprises a three-building hospital complex with 43 overnight beds, 20 non-acute mental health beds, a spacious maternity unit with three birthing rooms, four oral health chairs, naturally lit chemotherapy unit, and extensive ambulatory care clinics and consultation rooms.
It also includes a 14-bay, 24-hour emergency department with an additional four drop off bays for immediate hospital access, as well as a 54 space public car park.
“This is a positive project for the Byron Shire and a fantastic opportunity for us to deliver long-lasting benefits to patients, staff and the wider community. Part of that has been making sure we squeeze as much sustainable value out of the project as we can – be it greater operating efficiency, more local jobs or enhanced environmental outcomes,” said Mr David Ghannoum, Regional Managing Director of New South Wales at Brookfield Multiplex.
“On the environmental side, we are delighted to have achieved more than a 10 per cent improvement in energy efficiency on what was originally deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia by applying environmental features such as solar panels, sunshades and high performance double-glazing on all windows,” he said.
The Hospital features a range of sustainable elements. It has been fitted with a Building Management System (BMS) to control and monitor mechanical and electrical equipment performance including ventilation, lighting and power systems. The use of natural ventilation was maximised where possible. As an example, birthing suites feature reed switches to doors that switch off mechanical systems when doors are opened, eliminating the need to run expensive systems when they are not occupied.
This system extends to motion detectors positioned in less frequently occupied areas such as toilets, as well as energy efficient external lighting controlled by timers.
Large outdoor spaces were also constructed to encourage outside working and activities for both patients and staff. Drought resistant landscape planting was undertaken to minimise irrigation.
To promote staff and visitors cycling to the hospital rather than driving, new bicycle racks and showering amenities were also installed on site.
Other green initiatives include best practice PVC use, energy saving Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pumps and insulation of refrigerants and chillers comprising zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). In addition, the use of solar hot water will reduce the total energy input to the gas-fired hot water generators.
Beyond green features, many social programs have been implemented to ensure the hospital leaves a lasting legacy in the Byron Shire. For example, an indigenous trainee program employs eight local indigenous people undertaking a Certificate II in Construction Pathways at TAFE, and gaining on the job training at the Byron Central Hospital project.
Brookfield Multiplex also ran a safety poster competition with local schools to educate and inspire young people, and raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Hospital Auxiliary and local charity ‘Our Kids’.
“Supporting the community and helping to achieve long-term social change is a vitally important component of sustainability, and one we take seriously with our projects,” said Mr Ghannoum.
“When you have a building like Byron Central Hospital that ticks all of the environmental boxes and has a positive impact on the local community too, then you have a building that will truly sustain the community for many generations to come,” he said.
Byron Central Hospital
SUSTAINABLE ELEMENTS
Facade: natural ventilation, glazing and sunshades.
Hydraulic: solar hot water.
Electrical: motion detectors in low occupancy areas, timers and energy efficient lighting.
Mechanical: high performance chiller, VSDs on pumps, BMS system for building control.
Materials: low VOC materials, Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) insulation and refrigerants to the chiller.
Design: bicycle racks, outdoor spaces, drought resistant landscaping.

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“When you have a building like Byron Central Hospital … you have a building that will truly sustain the community for many generations to come”.

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