Smart Urban Villages launches in Melbourne

SUV logo

An innovative company is about to change the way housing is developed in Australia. Smart Urban Villages Pty Ltd (SUV) will leverage local design and community engagement expertise with the best design attributes of existing leading-edge communities to create highly liveable communities. SUV launched on March 12 and is now open for all inquiries.

The SUV approach adapts successful European “lease not buy” models, in conjunction with the latest developments in ecological design and practice, and several in-house innovations, for the Australian market through a cohousing/ecovillage style model.

Several solutions make the company’s Smart Community Model (SCM), developed by Ecomplish, innovative:

  • Apartments can be leased for the long term (10+ years) so there is no need for residents to obtain a mortgage!
  • All the buildings will be sustainably designed, reducing costs to residents.
  • Unlike pure cohousing and body corporates, a central management company and caretaker will ensure all the essential services are provided to residents, so they can focus on living, not working or worrying.
  • The urban villages will be medium density and contain resort-style facilities such as a shared community hall, kitchen and gardens;
  • Meals will be available to residents from the community hall weekly;
  • Whilst rents may be set at premium prices, the benefits enable residents to save much more in the long run, compared to traditional housing;
  • Such estates provide a much more safe, supportive and friendly environment where people and friendships amongst environmentally conscious people can flourish.

Ben O’Callaghan is proud to be a director of Smart Urban Villages with business partner Rolf von Behrens.  For more information about this pioneering new model please contact us at SUV www.smarturbanvillages.com SUV New Cover

 

5 Star for Curtin University – Green Star Communities Rating

Curtin University’s Bentley campus masterplan has achieved a 5 Star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s GREEN STAR COMMUNITIES rating system, a first for Australia.

Full story:  http://www.propertyoz.com.au/Article/

 

 

Real Communities by Ecomplish

Ecomplish specialises in planning and delivering Real Communities, that deliver active, vibrant and connected community outcomes.  Unlike large contemporary estates, Ecomplish ensures the size, scale and ben-ownsconnectivity of communities are matched, to ensure a Real Community develops, not one that is hollow and piecemeal. Our communities incorporate facilities to support shared meals and gatherings, guest accommodation, high speed internet and energy efficient housing to reduce operational costs. This creates truly affordable living as opposed to affordable housing which is a myopic way of targeting a challenging property sector issue.

For more on the Real Communities model, please contact Ecomplish.

Appointed as an Assessor – Green Star

Ecomplish Director Ben O’Callaghan, has been re-appointed as an Assessor for the Green Star Communities tool by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Local Government Association Register Appointment

Australian_LGA_Map_2011pngEcomplish has been appointed to the Local Government Association (LGA) ‘Buy Local’ register and Pre-Qualified for the categories of:

  • Architectural Services
  • Urban Design
  • Rural Design
  • Environmental Planning

If you are from an LGA and wish to engage Ecomplish via this panel arrangement please contact us.

Appointed to QYAC Register

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News: Ecomplish has been appointed to the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) consultant register for 2014/15

More:  https://www.facebook.com/QuandamookaYoolooburrabeeAboriginalCorporation

Skoda Octavia Review – Skoda has the smarts

Skoda-Octavia-Elegance2I recently needed to purchase a new car and looked around for the best value wagon/SUV on the market, with 5 star safety and security and of course, excellent fuel efficiency. I researched cars over about two months and at the Skoda Octavia came in at the top of the list, for the size of car I needed. I then got a great deal on one and started driving it in July 2014. Below is a review of the analysis I did and report on its performance to date and my personal comparison, in case it is of interest to others. I am not related to Skoda or the dealer in any way.

I compared several cars including the Hyundai i30 wagon, Mitsubishi PHEV, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda 6 Wagon, Mazda CX5 and Honda equivalent.

What I bought:

Skoda Octavia Elegance 132kW, 5.9 l/100km, Petrol, Auto.

Where from: Rob at Skoda – James Frizelle’s Dealership, QLD, Australia.

I considered buying second hand, but the new cars were a much better deal at the time.

Best features (I think):

  • Huge touch screen – best and biggest in its class I think. Makes things very easy to find and turn on or off e.g. the navigator, sound system etc
  • Efficient TSI engine.
  • Power of the engine. It is very powerful. No one would ever need anything more!
  • Fuel to date: 7.4 litres per hundred km. This is as expected and much lower than my old Subaru wagon at about 10 L/100km. (Most figures in the specifications are lower than the actual performance I’ve noticed over the years and I drive inefficiently sometimes so this figure is good I think).
  • Feel on the road – it is very smooth and quite.
  • Very good handling, considering it doesn’t have AWD.
  • Information and options. There are so many in an elegance model – highly recommend it.
  • The way it hold a gear back, when it is going down a hill. It is a smart car – when going down a hill, if I break a bit and let go, it will hold it in that gear (and not let it go faster) which is great as it means I don’t have to break as much (but all the cars in front of me have to!). This saves on brake pads I believe.

Worst features:

  • TSI engine is a bit choppy in first gear and on hills, but if you can get over this, it is an excellent car. Note: This issue doesn’t appear to occur when I put the car in Sports mode, which I sometimes do, if I am going to be parking on a hill and want to avoid the issue.  I’ve noticed Golfs have this issue too and is an known ‘feature’.
  • I would have loved the adaptive cruise control but that costs more.
  • Nothing more as yet.  Maybe an electric version…?    (see BMW i8..)
  • Skoda sent me a glossy book on the car afterwards (I’m not sure why they send this out after you have purchased one..) and then sent a second one a month later. That was a bit of a waste x 2.  I sent it back…

The Skoda cars basically have a fast Golf (VW) engine, but it is cheaper than a Golf so I was attracted to it from the start. VW make great cars!

I didn’t like the auto stop feature in the Mazda’s much, and this has more room than the CX5, which also doesn’t drive like a ‘car’.  it is higher off the ground though which would make it easier to get in and out of. The outlander hasn’t had good reviews from what I’ve seen.  it is also much bigger which I didn’t need. The Honda got average to good reviews from memory.  My Honda Civic was a great car but I’m very happy to have this skoda at the moment. It meets all my needs.   I give it a 8.5 out of 10. Love it.

Related reviews: http://www.themotorreport.com.au/57762/skoda-octavia-australian-road-test-review-ambition-103tsi-elegance-132tsi-and-diesel-110tdi

North Melbourne Ecovillage Opportunity

Ben is currently assisting with the analysis of several blocks near Carlton in Melbourne to determine the feasibility of an ecovillage-style development. More details will be published once the venture is made public.

Queen St Commercial Office Assessment Underway

In order to achieve a higher NABERS rating and better returns on investment, a Queen Street building owner has engaged Ecomplish to assess their current upgrade plans and prioritise the next steps. Ecomplish is also providing an assessment of the building services and identifying appropriate technologies, to improve the building even further.

Ecomplish wins role for new $85M The Science Place building

Ecomplish has been appointed as theJCU trees2 ‘Sustainability Consultant’ by Hassell for the design of a new $80M building. The James Cook University “Science Place” is being designed in 2013/2014 and will provide teaching and research spaces for students and academics. Adelaide based ESD Consultancy dsquared are partnering with Ecomplish and providing the ESD modelling for the project. The design will include smart traditional and innovative features that will make it is cheaper to operate, easier to maintain and deliver a leading-edge research facility for Australia. View the design team: http://thescienceplace.jcu.edu.au/fast-facts

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The Federal Government has committed to contributing $47M to the development of The Science Place at the Townsville Campus. It will replace two existing buildings at the campus and create an estimated 530 local jobs during the construction phase. Ecomplish are working with internal stakeholders to define the sustainability principles and targets for the project and tracking the initiatives throughout. All relevant rating tools are also being evaluated to determine their appropriateness for the university building.

 

 

Ecovillage wins 33rd Award

Australian Institute of Architects Queensland President Shane Thompson announced last night that the Ecovillage in Currumbin had won the Australian Institute of Architects 2013 QLD President’s Prize. He said, “This is a truly landmark development, achieved with a vision, tenacity and inspiring commitment rarely seen in the development and building industry. Now home to a thriving and highly engaged community of over 200 people and still growing, its success and international reputation is highly deserved. There have been many naysayers from the time of it’s inception and even still today, but you can almost be certain that most of those have never visited, talked to the residents or have been prepared to set side their preconceptions. There is an undeniable spirit, a sense of shared values and community whose actions every day make a positive contribution to to the wider world. At a time where the words sustainability, green development, environmentally and ecologically friendly, placemaking and community are exploited and abused, and sprinkled over what are really tokenistic gestures to business as usual and where so called ratings agencies are too ready to avoid the hard or important issues, the Currumbin Eco Village quietly, but determinedly puts most of them all to shame.  Is it perfect, of course not. Neither does it preach or engage in didactic rhetoric. It is a living, breathing real community, not just another sub-division selling itself as a community. Notwithstanding it’s undeniable credentials and frontiering efforts in demonstrating that there is another way, profitable, architecturally and ecologically sensitive, I believe that perhaps it’s greater achievement and one which is as profound as any, is it’s creation of real community, where safety, security, volunteerism and neighbourliness  have naturally evolved in a way other developers and government can only dream of. Such communities demand less of the public purse, are more self-policing, where vandalism is non-existent, where nature and people co-habitate in an easy open and relaxed lifestyle. There are so many lessons for all of us, that space and time do not permit me to list them.

My recent visit to the Currumbin Eco Village was as uplifting for me as any visit to any great work of architecture, natural wonder or historic place that I have ever made. However in making this award, there is a certain melancholy in knowing that the person whose generous and gracious vision brought about this place cannot be with us tonight. Chris Walton was tragically lost in a freakish accident not long ago. But Chris, I think, knew that what he had started, and the values and spirit so warmly invested in and nurtured by him and his partner Kerry Shepherd, and with the support of his colleague Colin Bear was now standing on its own, with a community that had assumed custodianship which will endure beyond him or any other individual. The Currumbin Eco Village is one of the great achievements of contemporary Queensland. It remains the benchmark achievement in sustainable community development in Australia and the many, many experts and researchers from around the world who continue to visit attest to that, so it’s a privilege for me to make this President’s award to the this community and I trust that it’s example will be seen as part of the new way of thinking that demands more serious attention as we seek to make better communities in the future.”

Shane Thompson Australian Institute of Architects Queensland President, 7 November 2013

To read about the other awards or the Ecovillage go to:  Awards List

Award announcement by Architecture and Design

 

 

Sunshine Coast Sub-Division

bud1We are currently conducting a feasibility analysis, including budget preparation, for the redevelopment of a unique 20,000m2 site on the Sunshine Coast in south east Queensland. The new community will provide sustainable agriculture opportunities and affordable residential housing which is highly sought after in the area. Its climate, lush surrounds and access to quality community facilities will make this project unique, sought after and profitable. It may also use a cohousing style community engagement model to secure pre-sales, whilst providing a new model for local sustainable sub-division development.

Northern NSW Retreat

Ecomplish is assisting a land owner to developmtwarning a new retreat in northern NSW, with sweeping views of Mount Warning and the surrounds.

By using existing dwellings and the natural features of the 100 acre site, it will be possible to develop sensitively whilst maximising the areas environmental assets for the benefit of all visitors.

 

New website for Sustainable Development GC

Sustainable Development Gold Coast Incorporated, a south-east Queensland focused not-for-profit organisation, is dedicated to supporting property industry and smart development. It has recently updated its website and now provides property news services. Further updates will be made later this year. See:  www.sdgci.com.au

Planning a visionary Sustainable Community in Melbourne

Ecomplish is assisting land owners in assessing the demand for, and feasibility of, a new sustainable community in south east Melbourne. We have provided the vision and goals for this unique site, that could pave the way for a new model of housing development in the area. The community could contain a village centre, mixed retail and a diverse range of housing to provide Victoria with an industry leading example of a sustainable development, and it would all be within 40 minutes of the CBD.

Another Green Star Communities project

Another Green Star Communities Pilot project has started in southeast Queensland and Ecomplish is proud to be against assisting with the massive project. The masterplan is one of the largest Green Star projects in Queensland with work starting in 2014/5.  We invite others to contact us to discover why developers, planners and investors are using Ecomplish to improve their sustainable developments and obtain the credentials they deserve for their leadership position in the industry.

A different project called “loop” by Rock Development Group are documenting their sustainable masterplan achievements using Ecomplish and Tract Consultants and aiming for a 6 Star Communities in Canberra using the Green Building Council of Australia rating guidelines.

Green Star Assessor for GBCA

create_GSAP_logo 2014Ben O’Callaghan has been appointed as an Green Star Communities rating tool Assessor by the Green Building Council of Australia.  To find out more about this exciting precinct level new rating tool, contact Ecomplish.

Gold Coast Smart Living Workshops for the Public

Two innovative Smart Living workshops are being run by Ecomplish for Gold Coast Council.  Registrations are now open.

A.  Energy Efficiency Workshop Overview

Demystifying Energy Bills – A DIY Guide to Reducing Energy Use in Your Home.

Save Money and Help the Environment with this informative workshop. Learn to understand what your energy bills are telling you and how to save up to $1,500 a year by reducing your household power consumption. In this workshop participants will learn which appliances are using the most power and do it yourself solutions designed to save you money.

All participants will receive an energy saving power board ($30 value) to assist in reducing power consumption within your home.

B.  Green Cleaning Workshop Overview

Detox Your Home: Living without toxins

Did you know the average Australian spends between $400-$600 every year on toxic cleaning products?

Learn how to save money and clean without toxins. The Detox Your Home workshop will offer do-it-yourself natural cleaning alternatives by teaching participants recipes and simple tricks for chemical free pest control, mould reduction, stain removal and all purpose cleaning. Learn to live without chemicals yet still have a sparkling clean home!

Details are at:    http://www.currumbinrsl.com.au/whats-on/  and look for “Smart Living”

Sanctuary Magazine focuses on Eco Developments

Starting on page 36, the premium design magazine called ‘Sanctuary’ has described some of Australia’s up and coming truely ‘sustainable’ developments.

The magazine is available from newsagents or via http://shop.ata.org.au/product-category/magazines/sanctuary

I can also recommend its sister magazine called ReNew, for all those with a more technical interest:

http://shop.ata.org.au/product-category/magazines/renew

An Award Winning Sustainably Designed House – proving its worth

Yagoi100 is an award winning house that was redeveloped within the multiple award winning Ecovillage at Currumbin estate on the Gold Coast in Australia. The Ecovillage has won over 30 different awards since 2005 including the coveted international ”World’s Best Environmental Development” at the Prix D Excellence Awards in 2008.

Yagoi100 was designed to complement the site and take advantage of the wide views of the Currumbin Valley and natural breezes. It incorporates 100 different features that make it (more) sustainable compared to the standard Australian contemporary home.

The house was completed in 2009 and has now proven its worth, saving the owners thousands of dollars each year, via reduced operational (utility) costs.  In fact it has virtually no electricity or water bills and requires no air conditioning, which has unfortunately become a standard in Queensland, primarily due to poor building design.  The house uses less than 5kWh of energy per day, compared to 23kWh for homes in a neighbouring estate. Case studies like Yagoi100 are critical demonstrations of what is possible and prove that getting the design right up front, can make all the difference to ensuring a house is comfortable, safe and cheap to run over its full lifecycle.

For more about the house visit:  www.yagoi.org

A short film produced by Ecomplish about the design and building of the house is now available on YouTube for free.