IT WAS RECOGNISED A FEW YEARS AGO THAT MANY BUYERS STRUGGLED WITH THE LEVEL OF “GREEN WASH” IN THE INDUSTRY AND NEEDED SOME CLARITY ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF SOME OF THE CLAIMS BEING MADE. THE INSTITUTE INTRODUCED A NATIONAL PROGRAM OF VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION, ENVIRODEVELOPMENT, TO ASSIST BUYERS.
EnvirDevelopment aims to recognise the top ten percent of projects that significantly exceeded the regulatory requirements.
Projects can meet the criteria in any of six elements with Alkimos Beach being the first to have achieved all six in Western Australia. The elements cover the major aspects of the development: Water, Waste, Ecosystems, Community, Materials and Energy and help buyers to understand the relative strengths of a development.
Developments that are certified against the Community Element, for example, foster community spirit, sustainable local facilities, reduced use of private motor vehicles, provide a sense of safety/security and have an accessible and flexible design that welcomes a diversity of people, adapting to their changing needs.
Developments that achieve the Energy Element achieve a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) production across the development over and above current regulatory requirements whilst the Water Element requires at least a 20 per cent reduction in drinking (potable) water use beyond regulatory measures and do not use drinking water for gardens.
Developments that achieve the Ecosystems Element aim to protect and enhance existing native ecosystems by encouraging natural systems and native biodiversity and, if relevant, rehabilitating degraded sites. Developments certified in Materials and Waste will utilise environmentally responsible materials and make efficient use of resources whilst minimising waste going to landfill.
We now have over fifty certified developments nationally with fourteen in Western Australia representing a diverse range of projects including rural residential lifestyle, beach side living and regional developments.
All of the developments are subject to intense scrutiny against the criteria by an independent expert Board comprising leading legal, planning, engineering and sustainability experts. Port Coogee is the latest certified project and is the first “mixed use” development to be assessed. A complete list of certified developments can be found at www.envirodevelopment.com.au.