EnviroDevelopment Living

EnviroDevelopment Living

Living in an EnviroDevelopment means having a happy and healthy life sensitive to nature.

EnviroDevelopment certification helps you identify a home that has been built sustainably with features that help you minimise your environmental impact and save money.

Your daily actions, big and small, have an impact on the environment. By choosing an EnviroDevelopment, you can live a more sustainable life.

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What benefits can living in an EnviroDevelopment offer?

Each EnviroDevelopment ‘leaf’ that you see displayed on a project indicates that benefits have been included to make your life more sustainable and comfortable. The potential benefits associated with each ‘leaf’ are detailed below:

Ecosystems

If the project displays an Ecosystem leaf:

  • The developer has landscaped public areas with native plant species which are low maintenance and weather tolerant so they should always look beautiful
  • The developer may have included structures amongst the landscaping to provide homes and shelter to wildlife, for example, fauna boxes, hollow trees
  • Extensive green spaces for conservation and recreation
  • Opportunities to observe native animals
  • Opportunities to interact with nature, for better wellbeing
  • Local waterways with good water quality that support a range of plant and animal species
  • Reduced air, noise, and light pollution.

Waste

If the project displays a Waste leaf, you can expect:

  • Reduced costs of building by using materials wisely and minimising the costs of waste disposal
  • Facilities that make it easy to recycle
  • Either a green waste disposal service, opportunities to compost or an onsite recycling centre for construction and landscaping materials
  • Access to information on how to reduce your own waste
  • The satisfaction of knowing that you helped reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill

Energy

If the project displays the Energy leaf:

  • You could see up to a 20% reduction in your energy bill, compared to a home meeting minimum regulatory requirement
  • Enjoy more comfortable indoor environments with a reduced need for air-conditioners or heaters. This means cooler homes in summer, warmer homes in winter and opportunities for plenty of fresh air
  • Experience greater wellbeing and liveability through increased solar access from a well orientated and designed home
  • You improve marketability of your home by highlighting the reduced operational costs

Materials

If the project displays the Materials leaf, you can:

  • Feel satisfied that the materials used in your community minimise the use of non-renewable resources and minimise the environmental impacts associated with their production
  • Experience health benefits compared to a standard home through reduced toxic surfaces or gases, and reduced allergens
  • Reduce the need for ongoing maintenance, saving money and time (in cases where durable materials are used)
  • Reduce construction costs by reusing materials or purchasing recycled materials at a lower cost.
  • Feel satisfied that the development of your new home has supported the local economy by giving preference to local suppliers

Water

If the project displays the Water leaf:

  • You could see up to a 20% reduction in your water bill, compared to a home meeting minimum regulatory requirement
  • Drought tolerant plant species were included in the landscaping of public areas so they should always look great
  • The soil has been tested and treated to maximise garden growth

Community

If the project displays the Community leaf, they can be characterised by:

  • Neighbourhoods that are safe, interesting, and pleasant to spend time in
  • Neighbourhood design and facilities that encourage active and healthy lifestyles
  • Walkways that are safe and comfortable for all residents to walk between homes, recreation areas and local services, allowing for active lifestyles and avoiding time spent commuting in traffic
  • Neighbourhood design, facilities, and programs to make it easier to connect with your neighbours and local community
  • Housing and local facilities that are accessible to a diverse range of people
  • Maintenance of cultural heritage and opportunities to appreciate cultural heritage
  • Access to local shops, recreation areas, and public transport options
    Comfortable and accessible buildings and facilities

Contributing to an eco-conscious life

Beyond what the developer does for your project, there are many other ways that you can help contribute to your sustainable community. Below are some ideas on how you can help:

Ecosystems

If you want to contribute to your healthy local ecosystem, here are some ideas:

  • Include native and weather tolerant species in your yard, it will mean less maintenance for you and reduced water bills
  • Plant wildlife friendly gardens
  • Get the children involved with free activity sheets
  • Minimise the application of manmade fertilisers or pesticides
  • Consider planting trees and bushes that provide habitat and food sources for native animals
  • Maintain your garden and lawn by removing environmental weeds

Your local Council may be able to provide information on the best type of landscaping for your local environment.

Waste

Interested in reducing your household waste? Here are some ideas:

  • Follow the simple mantra of: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse
  • Opt for reusable coffee cups
  • Replace coffee machine pods with degradable alternatives or reusable stainless-steel pods
  • Recycle your soft plastics at the local supermarket
  • Swap your plastic toothbrushes and floss for bamboo and cotton alternatives
  • Use reusable bags or boxes for grocery shopping
  • Choose the “crate to bench” option for online grocery deliveries

Energy

You too can contribute to reducing your energy use, here are some ideas:

  • Get involved in the design and layout of your home. Good orientation of your home can take advantage of winter sun for natural heating and keep out hot summer sun, reducing the need for you to turn on the air-conditioner
  • Use cold water for laundry
  • Program your dishwasher, washing machine or clothes dryer to run in off-peak times of the day
  • Turn your appliances off at the wall when not in use – appliances on standby account for up to 10% of your electricity bill
  • Consider installing ceiling fans to increase air-flow in your home and reduce the need for air-conditioning
  • Set your air-conditioner at a comfortable temperature that won’t make your unit work too hard, but still make you feel good. As a guide, somewhere between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. Every degree of cooling you do without saves you money
  • If you have a second fridge, run it only when needed, such as for celebrations
  • Use an outdoor drying area instead of an electric clothes dryer. It saves money and is good for your clothes
  • Purchase appliances that meet suggested minimum star ratings

Materials

Here are some ideas on how you can reduce the environmental impact of the materials you choose to use:

  • Talk to your builder about using recycled, re-used, renewable, sustainably manufactured or non-toxic materials in your new home
  • If buying new furniture and appliances for your home, choose products made from recycled materials, or materials from renewable sources, such as sustainably harvested timber
  • In your regular shopping, avoid purchasing products with excess packaging

Water

Looking to reduce the quantity of water you use, here are some ideas:

  • Install water efficient fittings, fixtures, and appliances through your home. Resource: Water Ratings and Planning a waterwise home
  • Only put your dishwasher on when its full
  • Encourage the family to empty their water bottles into the garden or pot plants instead of down the sink
  • Program your dishwasher, washing machine or clothes dryer to run in off-peak times
  • Plant drought tolerant species to reduce water usage