SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
Cedar Woods is at the forefront of sustainable development in Australia and has won numerous National and State level awards in recognition of their achievements.
Mariners Cove won the 2002 State and 2003 National, Urban Development Institute of Australia ‘Environmental Excellence’ Awards. We rehabilitated and protected a spectacular 230 acre wildlife reserve which formed part of the Creery Wetlands, an internationally recognised migratory water bird habitat. In 2006, The Kestrels won the City of Wanneroo Environmental Excellence Award. Currently, rehabilitation of contaminated industrial land is a key component of the Banbury Village urban renewal project.
Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) principles are key drivers for all Cedar Woods projects as we always look at ways to enhance the environment and minimise the ecological footprint of our projects. Our development teams are experienced in achieving best practice in sustainability. The following principles are front and centre objectives for our projects:
Green Estates & Buildings
- The preservation and enhancement of natural ecosystems
- Proponent of ‘Greensmart’ principles
- Intelligent water use and solar orientation of lots, facilitation of passive solar design
- Comprehensive Design Standards applied to each estate facilitating ESD best practice
- Energy efficiency – 6 star apartments and townhouses
- Provision of landscaping packages which contain a water wise selection of plants and grass types
Urban Water Management
- Water sensitive design features – bio filtration systems incorporated into estate water features which treat and reuse storm water throughout the development
- Rainwater tanks are encouraged through design standards and in some projects actually supplied and installed by Cedar Woods
- Use of recycled water for public areas
Urban Renewal, Waste & Heritage Preservation
- Adoption of stringent waste minimisation plans for all projects which incorporate the reuse of viable materials within the development and mandate the sustainable disposal of all disused materials
- Minimisation of development impact upon surrounding community
- Utilisation of comprehensive urban renewal strategies for disused or under-utilised urban sites
- Preservation and restoration of pre-existing heritage features influenced by ethnographic findings
- Implementation of site remediation and decontamination programs
- Adding value to the existing communities by enlivening tired streetscapes as part of project design strategy
Community Awareness & Consultation
- Facilitation of behavioural change promoting sustainable living through education programs
- Exercise leadership through the provision of sustainable living demonstration homes (eg the ‘Eco-Vision Project’ in partnership with the City of Wanneroo)
The company has committed to producing regular Sustainability Reports to detail initiatives and outcomes delivered in its projects. The first of these was published in 2008 and can be accessed on our website at
http://www.cedarwoods.com.au/Investors/Reports.aspx
Examples of some of our sustainability outcomes are as follows:
Mariners Cove – Western Australia
Mariners Cove is a unique waterfront development located just minutes from the town centre of Mandurah, 75km south of Perth.
Voted Australia’s Best Residential Estate, Mariners Cove features a remarkable 230-acre wildlife reserve that protects the Creery Wetlands, an internationally recognised waterbird habitat home to migrating birds from all over the world. A feral proof fence and fox baiting program help to ensure that all native birds and animals are protected. Residents are encouraged to learn more about their unique and delicate environment through the provision of walk trails, viewing platforms and information shelters
In addition, we have undertaken significant revegetation and protection of the area, including the renewal of important samphire vegetation previously degraded by vehicles.
Mariners Cove also features an innovative ‘snake’ drain. This drain accepts most of the stormwater runoff from the residential area to protect nearby waterways from potential pollutants. The drain expertly combines best practice environmental and engineering techniques with contemporary public art.
Williams Landing – Victoria
This large-scale, master planned community has been designed as a model of sustainable development that will be an exemplar of the integration of land uses and transport facilities. The project consists of over 2000 homes in 4 neighbourhoods all of which surround a major new town centre. The town centre has been designed to fully integrate with a new train station, bus interchange and commuter car parking facility and provides direct freeway access.
Williams Landing will house a community of around 6000 people when complete, and through integration with the Town Centre will provide an extensive employment node for the community with the provision of around 5,000 jobs. Sustainable design features of Williams Landing will enable residents to walk or cycle to the onsite public transport node to commute to work in Melbourne’s nearby CBD, and also utilise the extensive bike and walking paths throughout the neighbourhoods to access the Town Centre.
The project also has embraced the following measures:
- Street designs that optimise solar orientation of lots
- Design standards that seek best practice in sustainable housing outcomes
- Water sensitive urban design
- Water wise landscaping for public areas and individual homes
Banbury Village – Victoria
A 9ha inner urban renewal project close to Melbourne’s CBD, Banbury Village will deliver around 300 residential dwellings and will be an exemplar sustainable living project. Dwelling design will embrace industry best practice, providing 6 star energy rated homes that include a range of initiatives. Cedar Woods will facilitate education programs to encourage a behavioural change in residents in the context of sustainable living and minimising environmental impact.
The project is positioned adjacent to the West Footscray rail station and is supported by sustainable development policy initiatives such as those detailed in Melbourne 2030 that encourage development adjacent to public transport in aim of reducing car use. The project has been designed to optimise movement of cyclists and pedestrians throughout the development and to connect in with surrounding networks. Cedar Woods is also looking to facilitate a flexi car program for the local neighbourhood to use. A raft of travel smart initiatives have also been detailed in the project’s Integrated Transport Plan.
Carine – Western Australia
Still currently under project agreement, the Carine development (located in a middle northern suburb of Perth), will see the redevelopment of the former Carine TAFE site (8ha) into ‘A Place for All Ages’. Diverse housing will include affordable studios, 1-2 bedroom apartments over garages, opportunities for first home buyers and residential aged care.
Destined to be a revolutionary development in sustainability, Carine will feature many of the trademark Cedar Woods environmental initiatives. A total water management strategy is being prepared to facilitate a commitment that no potable water will be required outside of buildings. Other components will include mandatory rainwater tanks, greywater diverters plus water efficient fittings and appliances. All demonstration homes will be 7 star rated.
Future residents will be provided with education and training on how to optimise the operation of a sustainable home to purchasers. An auditor will visit every householder, post occupancy, to provide direct instruction on matters such as how to maximise the benefits of a passive solar designed home, as well as water use minimisation.
Harrisdale – Western Australia
The Harrisdale Green project involves the development of a greenfields site within Perth’s south-eastern urban corridor. Cedar Woods was awarded the project in 2008, to be undertaken as a joint venture with the Department of Housing.. Spread over 30ha, the project will comprise approximately 500 homes and a range of mixed businesses, with a component of social housing to be provided throughout the estate.
In line with our commitment to sustainability, a number of environmental measures have already been put in place to ensure that residents have the resources and education needed to live sustainably. These include:
• All homes and townhouses will be a minimum of 6 star rated
• Photovoltaic cells on all homes
• 3000L rainwater tanks plumbed to the home
• Waterwise landscape packages
• Waste minimisation and waste management
• Preparation and implementation of Community Development initiatives
• Community grants sponsorship program
Each lot purchase at Harrisdale Green will include the provision of a Harrisdale Sustainable Living Package, at no further cost to the purchasers.
As a developer of master-planned communities and sensitive urban renewal projects, we appreciate that we have been entrusted with a significant responsibility, and therefore strive to produce an outcome which is considerate of the interests of all stakeholders and conducive to pre-existing environments
CARING FOR AND ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT
Some projects require the preservation and enhancement of pre-existing environmental landscapes such as wetlands and areas containing rare vegetation types. Cedar Woods is committed to enhancing these assets, educating the community on their values and managing them according to management plans.
We recognise that we have a responsibility to continue to provide a home for natural habitat, and indeed enhance the wellbeing of threatened or endangered flora and fauna which may exist in local surrounds. The company has been recognised for its leadership in this area and has been awarded many coveted awards for its efforts.
An important facet of any development is public open space. It is not uncommon for our sites to contain extensive conservation reserves and wetlands, none more so than the 230 acre Creery Wetlands at Mariners Cove. The Creery Wetlands provide a seasonal home for many migrating birds from across the globe, and has been internationally recognised as a leading waterbird sanctuary. Cedar Woods is proud that it has set a high benchmark for industry to follow and is able to continue to dedicate extensive tracts of land throughout its developments to conservation and wetland development.