Ocean Keys Shopping Centre named 2020 Platinum Waterwise Business of the Year

Located in Perth’s north, Ocean Keys Shopping Centre has achieved one of the highest National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) water ratings for shopping centres in the state. NABERS ratings are used to score buildings for their commitment to energy and water conservation. As one of our Platinum Waterwise Business winners, Ocean Keys’ rating of 4.18 shows their outstanding commitment to water efficiency.

Part of their success stems from adopting new technologies. By working with major partners including Water Corporation to track water use using smart metering, Ocean Keys can identify any abnormal water use.

This rigorous monitoring helped to identify significant amount of water use in their cooling towers. These towers are used for air conditioning purposes and as such were mainly needed for the summer months. Knowing this, the team found they could switch off their towers throughout the winter months at a minimal cost, resulting in significant water savings.

Ocean Key water use monitoring to identify any abnormal water use. 

Staff and tenant collaboration

Ocean Keys rely on the support and engagement of all of their staff, tenants and contractors to achieve water saving goals. Staff members are always on the lookout for leaks, with security staff incorporating leak checks into their daily inspections. Landscaping at the shopping centre is managed by external contractors, who are well versed in creating waterwise landscapes and investigating and fixing leaks in the irrigation network.

Tenants both big and small also have a part to play in conserving water. Tenants at the shopping centre are responsible for paying individual water consumption to encourage careful use. The Ocean Keys management team provide education to their tenants and work closely with them to reduce their water use. This method has proved hugely successful with one of their highest water using tenants reducing their water use by an incredible 50%. 

Smart metering technology

Ocean Keys has been working with major partners, including Water Corporation, to track their water use using smart metering so they can identify any abnormal water use. This rigorous monitoring helped them to identify a significant amount of water use in their cooling towers. These towers are used for air conditioning purposes mostly over the summer months. The team discovered that switching off the towers throughout the winter months resulted in significant water savings.

Ocean Keys cooling tower discharge meter.

Find out about our other 2020 Platinum Waterwise Business of the Year recipient.