Alkimos Beach gets tick from Green Building Council

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has awarded the first 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating to a residential masterplanned development at Alkimos Beach, north of Perth.

The first stage of the development, to be delivered by Lend Lease and LandCorp, will comprise 2,000 homes over 240 hectares. Upon completion, the master-planned development will cover 710 hectares.

LandCorp chief executive Frank Marra said the company intends to develop Western Australian residences sustainably.

"We encourage innovation and are delighted that our Alkimos Beach project has been recognised by the nation's authority on sustainable buildings and communities and acknowledged as a world leading development with global significance," said Marra.

The Alkimos Beach development was assessed by GBCA according to innovation, design, environmental sustainability, economic and liveability criteria. The result was announced at the Green Cities conference 2015.

Upon completion, the project will have six hectares of conservation reserves and 41 hectares of dune and foreshore reserves. According to LendLease, houses will be at most 800 metres from the local centre and transport links and 200 metres from a park space.

The masterplanned development will also include WiFi in public spaces.

While Lend Lease has been recognised for sustainability measures in its developments previously, these have largely been in single buildings and fitouts, said GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew.

"This 6 Star Green Star rating for a community project sets the bar for world leadership community development and demonstrates a long-term commitment to sustainability at scale," Madew said.

"We applaud the range of initiatives – from education campaigns to financial incentives to technology – that will help the residents of Alkimos Beach embrace more sustainable living."

"The importance of this rating cannot be understated. Lend Lease, LandCorp and the people of Alkimos Beach now have independent proof that this community will deliver economic, social and environmental sustainability. And the industry has proof that 'world leadership' benchmarks in community development are achievable."