Kingsfield estate embraces sustainable roads

Melbourne-based property group Moremac is adopting an array of sustainability initiatives for its Kingsfield estate in the city’s north-west, including building roads containing recycled materials.

Reported to be the first residential estate in Victoria to use recycled, post-consumer materials in its roads, the process takes repurposed goods like glass, soft plastics, tyres and cartridges, melting them down to make Reconophalt — a road-surfacing material that offers a sustainable solution for single-use waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

One kilometre of recycled Reconophalt road can contain as many as 500,000 plastic bags, 165,000 glass bottles and 12,000 used printer cartridges.

By adopting an upcycled approach to infrastructure, the project is estimated to generate 30% less CO₂ during the production of road properties, decrease scarce and raw materials used, and provide an avenue for waste that would otherwise end up as pollutants in the environment.

Located 35 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, Kingsfield is an environmental green space, surrounded by kilometres of natural reserve, winding waterways and an abundance of wildlife.

Moremac Property Group Director Byrce Moore said the Kingsfield development factors in a host of sustainability initiatives and that, when it comes to community development and wellbeing, quality infrastructure was fundamental.

“50% of the project has been dedicated to open space for parks and walking tracks, as well as to maintain and protect the natural wetlands and conservation reserve; this is all part of our commitment to leaving the site in a better place than when it was purchased.

“In addition to this, each purchaser at Kingsfield will receive a $2000 incentive to put towards solar powering their homes.”

The next step for the project is to establish a Community Sustainability Fund to unite local minds into forging a circular economy.

“Moremac and Kingsfield representatives will connect regularly with the aim of continuing to innovate and grow in the sustainability space,” Bryce said. “This includes everything from additional planting and improvements in conservation areas, propose[d] solar-powering options for the future town centre, to community veggie gardens. We want the people closest to the area to contribute their ideas to the betterment of the community.”