EnviroDevelopment certification for sustainable retirement community

Retirement community developer Halcyon has achieved EnviroDevelopment certification from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) for its Halcyon Landing community at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast. This makes it the first over 50s developer in Australia to do so.

The $90 million project will see 170 homes constructed on a 22 ha site on the Maroochy River. The project achieved certification for all six EnviroDevelopment elements - ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.

L-R: Brent Thomas, Bevan Geissmann and Chris Carley.

“We are very proud to be the first retirement developer to achieve EnviroDevelopment certification in all six elements and we hope this paves the way for other retirement community developers to follow suit,” said Halcyon joint Managing Director Dr Bevan Geissmann.

“From acquiring the site for Halcyon Landing, right through to designing and building the homes, reducing our carbon footprint has been a significant consideration.

“Not only is the monetary saving associated with water and energy efficiency of huge importance to retirees, the fact that they’re treading lighter on the earth in their later years gives them peace of mind for future generations.”

The chair of the UDIA’s National EnviroDevelopment Board of Management, Brent Thomas, said Halcyon should be commended for its desire and ability to meet the needs of both the seniors market and the natural environment.

“They have created somewhere desirable for those over 50 to not only live but, more importantly, to enjoy, leveraging and enhancing the benefits of the development’s natural surroundings.

“An environmentally sustainable development makes good sense in terms of living expenses and the residents of Halcyon Landing will reap the benefits of cleverly designed, energy-efficient homes well into the future.”

The EnviroDevelopment certification was made possible by a series of sustainability initiatives, including retaining 55% of the site for parkland and conservation and aligning roads to a north-south axis, allowing maximum sun penetration to principal rooms and courtyards.

All the home designs offered by Halcyon come with eight-star energy ratings and 1.5 kW PV solar panels. The homes are being constructed with Hebel panelling, water-efficient fixtures, thermal insulation, light-coloured roofing and gas hot water systems.

Community initiatives recognised by the UDIA include communal compost and vegetable gardens, the construction of a 1.1 km public walking trail running through the site’s environmental buffer zone and the purchase of a communal mini bus, reducing reliance on vehicular transport for group events.

Other Halcyon Landing community initiatives include a $3 million recreation club, a championship-size bowling green, floodlit tennis court, swimming pool, spa and gymnasium.

Halcyon Landing is nominated in four categories of the UDIA Qld Awards for Excellence this year, including Affordability, Seniors Living and Environmentally Sustainable Development (built form and land based).