Sustainability Initiatives

The site at Little Bay offers a unique opportunity to showcase leadership in environmentally sustainable initiatives. The community and its infrastructure will be created from a master planned framework, allowing the implementation of significant sustainability features, taking advantage of the economies of scale and achieving a high level of environmental performance.

With this project, Charter Hall intends to provide environmental leadership by emphasising the importance of environmentally sustainable building design and construction, water sensitive urban design, enhanced open spaces and the encouragement of walking and cycling.

Charter Hall aims to show leadership in environmental sustainability by targeting reductions in water consumption by up to 60% and energy reduction by up to 50% on average usage for similar residential communities. These targets will primarily be achieved by incorporating energy supply from alternative, renewable resources and sustainable water strategies.

Currently, NSW State Government requires projects of this nature to adopt the following sustainability initiatives:

  • Passive design (orientation, shading, cross ventilation, insulation) to reduce the need for air conditioning in all homes
  • Water efficient appliances and domestic fittings (toilets, tapware and showers).

However, additional measures are required to achieve our ambitious targets. Options currently under investigation include:

  • Pre-wiring homes to enable the use of photovoltaic solar panels for solar electricity;
  • Smart home energy meters;
  • Solar hot water and floor heating;
  • On site water recycling and waste water treatment, through either greywater or blackwater treatment plants. The aim is to provide recycled water for irrigation, clothes washing and toilet flushing;
  • All Stormwater will be naturally cleaned through bio-swales in the road system, the central dam and reed bed retention ponds. There is the potential for this water to be used for irrigation of the proposed parks and The Coast Golf Course; and
  • Alternative renewable energy, such as wind turbines and solar powered streetlights to achieve a carbon neutral public domain.

Charter Hall is being advised on sustainability matters by Lincolne Scott, a leading environmental consultancy firm both in Australia and globally.