In achieving this certification in 2019, the project was commended on the quality and content of their Climate Change Risk Assessment, with this work being recognised as an exemplar for other developers committed to sustainable outcomes.

Some of the project’s key initiatives include:

• Water Sensitive Urban Design features such as raingardens, which are integrated into the streetscapes and open space.
• More than 90% of plant species used within the development are native.
• Planting within Messara Park incorporates the local native and critically endangered Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains vegetation community.
• Implementation of a Construction Waste Management Plan and a 60% recycle or reuse rate on site.
• Design Guidelines which consider energy requirements, including active and passive design standards, peak load reduction measures and a 6-star minimum NatHERS rating, as well as mandated energy efficiency initiatives.
• Low VOC emission paints, sealants, adhesives and floor coverings, and E0 engineered wood products mandated within the design guidelines.
• A 3,000L rainwater tank is mandated for all lots, to be connected to toilets, laundries and irrigation systems, as well as water-efficient sanitaryware and appliances.
• The design of the public realm has considered community, social interaction and the linkages to quality open spaces.
• The site has ample access to public transport, parks, nature reserves, sports ovals and local services/amenity.

Development Victoria’s commitment to environmental sustainability led to a collaboration with Brimbank City Council to provide 20% RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavement) Type N asphalt mix for all road pavements – a significant improvement on the standard 10% RAP asphalt mix which was more commonly used at the time.

The use of 20% RAP asphalt mix reduces the consumption of natural resources (aggregate and binder), and the volume of material going to landfill.

Stormwater management was a particular focus for this site, with significant increases in expected stormwater flows since establishment of the suburb. A combination of underground stormwater storage tanks and retarding basins provided the solution, with the underground tanks effectively ‘hidden’ away under the grassed kick-about area of Messara Park.

These storage tanks also provide Council with future opportunities for re-use of the stored stormwater for irrigation of the grass and garden areas of the park.

It boasts close proximity to well-regarded educational facilities, an established community, and various sporting clubs. Additionally, residents benefit from easy access to shopping, entertainment options, Officer train station, and the Princes Hwy.

The centrepiece of this community is the Hillstowe Central Park, a sprawling one-hectare green space featuring an Ornamental Tree Grove, Multisports half-court, Nature play area, and picnic facilities.

For more details, visit: www.hillstoweliving.com.au

Catalina is delivered by the Catalina Regional Council, formed by seven local governments to implement the development, and project managed by Satterley.  The early vision to create a more sustainable, more liveable community is being successfully delivered.

A strong focus on ecosystems led to the rehabilitation of an 11.5 hectare Biodiversity Conservation Area which provides a significant green link, including feeding habitat for Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.  Habitat trees are also retained in road reserves and public open space.  A successful plant relocation, seed collection and fauna relocation program has been implemented, with over 550 grass trees relocated and a contribution to the seed bank that can equate to over 2 million plants.

A mandatory builders’ waste program saw well over 90% of waste by weight collected on site and recovered at a start-of-the-art facility, with the program at Catalina used as a case study for best practice waste management in WA.

Catalina, through careful design and energy and water efficiency will reduce living costs for residents and has a strong focus on community engagement and education.

For more details, visit: https://satterley.com.au/catalina/

As the largest master planned project within the Chisholm release area, Waterford is set on 251 hectares and will deliver 1,484 homes upon completion. The duality of the region attracts a diverse purchaser-base, all drawn in by the abundance of established amenities. Accessibility and convenience within Chisholm will be further enhanced by the proposed Chisholm Plaza by Revelop and the planned community centre, delivering high-quality retail outlets and meeting spaces within the Waterford address.

Already home to several educational centres, once complete Waterford will have four schools, offering options for pre-school right through to high school. The community will also include a range of sports precincts – netball courts, a cricket pitch, tennis courts – as well as seven parks, and seven kilometres of bike and walking trails. Over a quarter of homes at Waterford front untouched greenspaces or blue spaces which provides sanctuaries for the local flora and fauna.

While residents can enjoy the tranquillity of regional living, Waterford is still just a short 30-minutes from the Newcastle metropolitan area. Access to the M1 to Sydney is only a 10-minute drive away, linking residents to the country’s most popular and culturally renowned city in less than 2-hours.

For more details, please visit their website.

Sustainability practices include using materials and construction methods with lower environmental impacts, implementing innovative waste reduction and water saving plans; as well as significant investment in protecting and enhancing the local natural ecosystems. Orana will offer an impressive range of natural areas, with 42 hectares of parks and waterways, six local parks, two recreation reserves and three wetlands planned for the community. Balcon, the talented development team behind Orana, have also invested in the Urban Forest Project – a public initiative that focuses on increasing Melbourne’s canopy cover. With this, an extensive number of native and exotic trees will be planted at Orana, encouraging the City of Casey’s rich biodiversity to continue to thrive.

For more details, please visit their website.

The new development consists of 65 retirement living units. Each unit is built for sustainability with cross-flow ventilation, ample daylighting, energy efficient lighting and appliances, health low emission paints and sealants, and extensive community facilities.

For more details, please visit their website.

Sustainability underpins the vision for Moonee Valley Park. Approximately half of the site is dedicated to new botanical green spaces, supporting biodiversity and enhancing wellbeing through everyday immersion in nature. The neighbourhood is designed to prioritise pedestrians, with essential amenities located within walking distance and recreational spaces integrated throughout.

Environmental performance is embedded across the precinct. Water-efficient fixtures rated up to five stars are included in all residences, while rainwater harvesting systems capture roof runoff for landscape irrigation, reducing potable water consumption. Solar panels installed on several rooftops help offset greenhouse gas emissions from common areas. Homes and communal spaces feature energy-efficient LED lighting, thermally efficient building design, and high-performance reverse-cycle heating and cooling systems to minimise energy use.

A comprehensive waste management strategy supports construction-phase sustainability, targeting the recycling of 80% of all waste generated on site.

Moonee Valley Park was first certified under EnviroDevelopment in 2019. Its continued commitment to sustainability and innovation has now been recognised through EnviroDevelopment Excellence — acknowledging the project’s leadership in delivering a greener, more resilient community.

Broome North is a master planned development which consists of a range of uses including residential, retail, commercial, light industrial, educational and civic uses.

The first precinct at Broome North is now complete with features including:

• Broome North Primary School
• 454 residential lots
• Climate response design and sustainability initiatives reducing energy bills by around 25% per year based on Horizon Power usage data
• Eight parks including features such as playground, basketball court, skate park and picnic ares
• Bike path connecting to Cable Beach and surrounds

To find out more about Broome North and Waranyjarri Estate, click here

Drawing inspiration from the iconic Gold Coast beach shacks of the 1950s, Rothelowman has reinterpreted the architectural language and qualities of the quintessential modernist ‘beach home’ through a collection of 119 vertically stacked ‘beach home’ apartments over 25 levels.Spacious living areas have a seamless connection to expansive balconies, with lavish and clever interior design bringing indulgent opulence to every residence.

High-quality finishes and appliances, custom joinery and stone benchtops are celebrated throughout, complimented perfectly by an exquisite range of 22 luxury facilities. The building is crowned with an exclusive club on Level 26, hosting a wine cellar, private dining rooms, kitchen, beautifully appointed library, lounge and media room.

Mosaic Property Group is incredibly mindful of the footprint it leaves behind, not just on communities but also on the environment. Some of the sustainability measures undertaken at Bela are:

• Bela’s exemplar subtropical design includes clever passive features that reduce solar heat load and provide for natural breezes. Horizontal slab projections shade glazing to minimise solar impacts in summer and improve energy efficiency by 35%.
• A 20kW rooftop solar panel system that feeds directly into a communal power supply, reducing energy costs.
• A 30 000L water tank and automated irrigation system that capture rainwater for re-use, reducing water consumption and sustaining the extensive landscaping.
• Considered ventilation measures with palisade balustrades improve energy efficiency by up to 35%, extensive balconies with full-height sliding doors and naturally ventilated corridors, eliminating the need for air-conditioning low-use spaces.
• Generous, genuine deep planting accounts for 11% of total site area and native species enrich street appeal and thrive in the harsher coastal environment.
• The upper sub-penthouse level of the project was designed to be interchangeable with the lower typical levels – this flexible floor plate design created efficiencies in building and provided a clever response to market conditions.

For more details, visit https://mosaicproperty.com.au/design/bela/