Ground-breaking initiatives at the Novotel and Hotel Ibis Homebush Bay include:

• Installation of Australia�s largest commercial solar-powered hot water system
• Saving of 1200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year by using 100% green energy
• Comprehensive waste reduction and recycling program
• Unique partnership with leading conservation organisation, World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF)

�As a significant player in the green games strategy and test case for future hotel developments in Australia, our aim is to extend the �green experience� beyond the hotel into people�s homes and activities,� commented hotel General Manager Neil Scanlan.

�Guests may not notice too many differences from a normal hotel stay, aside from recycling bins and shampoo dispensers to replace the thousands of little plastic bottles, but there is so much more here than meets the eye.  The booklet explains our processes and provides some easy steps for those guests who wish to continue the practice at home or in the office.

�We are already receiving great interest in the green nature of our business and whilst it is a more expensive option, we believe in the long term it will be revenue neutral, as well as being a reminder to future generations that the 2000 Games placed as much emphasis on the environment as it did on winning medals.� Mr Scanlan concluded. 

Opening in December 1999, the hotel complex includes two restaurants and bars, large conference centre, four room types including deluxe suites and athlete bunk-style accommodation. The hotels are located across from Stadium Australia on Olympic Boulevard.
Novotel and Ibis Hotels are managed by leading hotel group Accor. There are currently 64 hotels in Australia and over 3300 hotels worldwide. 

Introducing Sydney�s Olympic �green� hotels

The combined Novotel/Ibis hotel complex at Olympic Park, Homebush Bay will incorporate a 19 storey 177 Novotel hotel and a nine storey 150 room Ibis hotel. It will cost $61.8 million to establish and opening is scheduled for December 15 1999. 

The environmental strategy includes Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) principles and practices and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for hotel design and construction, and ongoing hotel operation.

The design of the hotel will include:

• Australia�s largest solar hot water applications. Some 250 square metres of solar collectors on the roof of the Novotel to supply 60% of the hotel�s hot water needs and reduce total energy needs and reduce energy consumption by 15%. Additional energy needs for the hotel will come from renewable sources through a commercially available supplier in New South Wales.
• a 50% reduction in baths per room and a system to separate grey water for treatment and reuse;
• a natural ventilation focus in the lower level public access floors and increase of 40c in the ambient air conditioning range;
• windows that when opened, automatically cut off air conditioning and reduce reliance on artificial air; and
• construction materials sourced from development processes that have the least environmental impact.

• reuse or recycle 80% of all waste;
• monitor consumption of energy and water in strategic parts of the hotel;
• include a �Green Ed� program, featuring a range of interpretive material and tours on the hotel�s application of ESD;
• include an extensive and ongoing staff training and incentive program; and  include an environmental coordinator and working group to oversee the operational plan
• reduce potable water consumption by 50% and waste generation by 50%.

In a world first, the Novotel/Ibis hotel complex will also make ongoing contributions to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the world�s largest environmental organisation, of A$1 from every room sold going to the WWF to oversee wetland conservation initiatives. The partnership will run for a minimum of five years.

As well, the Observation Centre on Level 17, which provides the highest vantage point over Homebush Bay and the Olympic Village, will be used as an environmental education centre and will be a sought after spot for Olympic Park visitors and school groups with 600,000 visitors expected in 2000.