Centre Initiatives

Grand Central is committed to helping make Toowoomba a cleaner and greener place to live. Read about how Grand Central is actively working towards reducing waste and emissions.

Rooftop Solar

Grand Central has a large solar power network on its roof space with 2272 solar panels.

These panels generate 092 MW of power and at their peak they generate at its peak ~676.9KW of power per hour. These panels reduce the Centre’s carbon emissions by ~657,321 tonnes each year.

Utilities Improvement

Grand Central is replacing traditional lighting sources with LED alternatives and the emergency lighting control system has been converted to a Hive solar battery system.

Ongoing building tuning sees optimised operational utilities efficiency and a reduced consumption for HVAC services with the inclusion of water usage through cooling tower after-hours usage reductions.

Waste Diversion Programs

Grand Central continues to grow the waste diversion program by adding more streams and working with partners internally and externally.

By participating in waste diversion programs, our retailers and customers are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save on energy consumption and reduce our centre’s reliance on land fill.

Last calendar year, Grand Central generated 1680 tonnes of waste and were able to divert 900+ tonnes away from landfill.

Grand Central also turns organic food waste into recyclable pulp, which is then converted into organic fertiliser and green, renewable energy.

Grand Central recycles scrap metal and has waste diversion schemes in place for waste oil and grease waste, cardboard, polystyrene and soft plastics.

Containers for Change Program

Several bins throughout the centre are now designated Containers for Change recycling only.

After collection, an Ability Enterprises staff member sorts these containers into their correct waste streams and then undertakes the Container Exchange (COEX).

The containers’ 10c funds will be put directly back into the project to fund the Ability Enterprises staff members wages*.

This pilot project falls under the UniSQ SURF No Waste Precinct with project partners Ability Enterprises, COEX and Grand Central.

*Ability Enterprises is a not-for-profit, social enterprise providing meaningful employment opportunities to marginalised individuals living in regional Queensland.

Water

Grand Central has large rainwater tanks which hold 274,000 litres of water. These tanks supplement our water usage in the centre amenities and within our gardens.