One of Australia’s most innovative and sustainable buildings was officially opened today, celebrating a public-private partnership success story and a major investment in the north of the state.
Tasmanian not-for-profit health insurer St Lukes has completed its new Launceston building, welcoming six tenants who will share the state-of-the-art building, signalling business growth in northern Tasmania.
The state government contributed $1 million towards the $33-million project, demonstrating both public and private sector confidence in the state’s north.
St Lukes CEO, Paul Lupo, said the transformative space aimed to restore vibrancy and foster a sense community connection, helping to revitalise Launceston into a thriving, dynamic and inclusive place for everyone.
“We want to draw people back into Launceston city to support our local businesses, instilling commercial confidence, stimulating our economy and generating local jobs,” Mr Lupo said.
The seven-storey building features a ground floor café, playground and wellness hub, all open to the public, as well as being home to St Lukes’ customer care centre, dental practice and head office, bringing together its Launceston workforce previously dispersed across four different locations.
Mr Lupo said the building represented so much more than its physical presence, standing as a tangible example of what could be achieved by working together in Tasmania.
“There is no better demonstration of our ability to collaborate than this very space, which has brought together Tasmanian architects, builders, manufacturers, craftspeople and designers to create this spectacular new addition to the Launceston skyline,” he said.
“The building is made predominantly of Tasmanian timber, a natural, renewable and recyclable material, also reducing the building’s carbon footprint by up to 40 per cent in comparison to a regular building site.
“It aims to sequester 7,665 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere – the equivalent emissions of 2,141 cars driving 20,000km per year – a 60 per cent lower carbon footprint than the equivalent traditional build.
“A full lifecycle plan means the building can in time be deconstructed, re-engineered and re-used, making it a net zero project.”
St Lukes is sharing the building with a suite of blue-chip Tasmanian and international businesses including Allianz, Salveo, Newton & Henry, ReadyTech, Sweetbrew and now Bank of us, who will be moving its corporate office.
Bank of us CEO, Paul Ranson, said he was thrilled at the opportunity presented by the new St Lukes building.
“Like St Lukes, Bank of us is a customer-owned organisation which is committed to positive impact for the good of all Tasmanians,” Mr Ranson said.
“Bank of us has achieved significant growth in recent years, throughout which, we’ve remained committed to staying truly Tasmanian.
“We are supporting projected further growth with the creation of 20 additional roles which will allow us to maintain outstanding customer experience, but it means we’ve outgrown our corporate Launceston offices.
“Bank of us customers won’t see any change – our dedicated retail store team and lending specialists will continue to operate out of the current Brisbane Street store.
“We’re thrilled by the opportunity to co-locate with a like-minded organisation like St Lukes.”
ENDS
For more information: Jacquie Ray, Timmins Ray Public Relations: 0429 683 779.