Green Star FAQs
Is there an alternative pathway for the 'Connection to Nature' credit in Green Star Buildings?
Yes, Green Star Buildings projects may target the below alternative requirements for the Connection to Nature credit.
Credit Achievement
The project must comply with:
- Views (requirements as per the Submission Guidelines); and
- Nature-inspired design (requirements as per the Submission Guidelines); and
- Any one of the following:
| Criteria | Requirements |
| Outdoor plants |
At least 5% of the building's total regularly occupied areas or land within the site boundary (whichever is greater) must be planted area located externally, either vertical or horizontally. The planted areas must be accessible and necessary infrastructure to allow the activity to occur. |
| Indoor plants - non-residential |
Indoor plants must be provided in regularly occupied areas. One or more plants in pots with a soil surface area totalling at least 500cm2 for every 15m2 of the regularly occupied spaces is required. An ongoing maintenance plans must be established for the indoor plants to ensure plant health is maintained. Refer to the Plants criteria in the Submission Guidelines for the ongoing maintenance contract requirements. |
| Indoor and outdoor plants - buildings where the building operator has limited, regular access to tenancies |
Buildings where the building operator has limited regular access to the tenancies may include, but are not limited to, Class 2 apartment buildings and Class 3 student accommodation. For these space types, indoor plants must be provided in at least two regularly occupied areas of the base building which is accessible by all building occupants (eg. reception, common rooms) and have a total soil area that is equivalent to 2% of the regularly occupied base building areas. An ongoing maintenance plans must be established for the indoor plants to ensure plant health is maintained. Refer to the Plants criteria in the Submission Guidelines for the ongoing maintenance contract requirements. The building must also provide at least 2% of the building's total regularly occupied areas or land within the site boundary (whichever is greater) must be planted area located externally, either vertical or horizontally. |
Exceptional Performance
The project must comply with:
- Views (requirements as per the Submission Guidelines); and
- Nature-inspired design (requirements as per the Submission Guidelines); and
- Outdoor plants (requirements as above for Credit Achievement); and
- Any one of the following:
| Criteria | Requirements |
| Indoor plants - non-residential | Requirements as above for Credit Achievement |
| Indoor and outdoor plants - buildings where the building operator has limited, regular access to tenancies | Requirements as above for Credit Achievement |
This FAQ is related to the following Rating Tools, Categories or Credits:
- Green Star Buildings v1.0 / Healthy / 15 Connection to Nature
These FAQs are:
- provided as additional technical assistance for Green Star users.
- optional and free to use on Green Star projects.
When used on Green Star projects, make sure to:
- state the FAQ number on the Submission Template.
- click on "Download" to save the FAQ.
- include the PDF in the submission.
The GBCA reserves the right to add or remove FAQ at our discretion.
Submit a question by selecting an option below: