The Crimson Hill residential development, located alongside Sydney’s Lane Cove National Park, is now boasting a green tinge of its own with the announcement it has received the esteemed EnviroDevelopment green tick of approval from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).
The Defence Housing Australia (DHA) development has been recognised by the EnviroDevelopment board for its outstanding performance across all six leaves – ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.
“Crimson Hill is a breathtaking authentic masterplanned community adjoining Lane Cove National Park, which is both an environmentally and architecturally significant site,” DHA Managing Director Peter Howman said.
“Transforming this ‘brownfield’ site has required us to deliver an innovative design solution, which has now been recognised through this sought-after accreditation.”
Designed by award-winning architects, the vision for Crimson Hill incorporates the creation of five distinct precincts, each with its own unique character, design style and outlook, yet all coexisting in harmony with one another and the unique bushland surrounds.
“In addition to the sustainable design of the development as a whole, we are taking steps to retain, maintain and rehabilitate the existing natural vegetation and landform,” Mr Howman said.
“Our primary concern was for the protection of the threatened Darwinia Biflora, which can be found on the site, and ensuring that this has not been damaged during or after construction.”
In addition to this, landscaping throughout the development has been designed to complement the natural bushland. Drought-tolerant, native species have been extensively used and little irrigation will be required after establishment.
“Crimson Hill is breathtaking,” Mr Howman said. “It is a celebration of its surrounds and showcases the striking floral hues found across the site, and natural wonder of its unique location.”
Background:
An initiative of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Qld), EnviroDevelopment is a comprehensive national rating tool, offering third party verification of the sustainability outcomes of built environments. The tool certifies eligible developments across six key elements (or ‘leaves’) of environmental sustainability:
- Ecosystems
- Waste
- Energy
- Materials
- Water and
- Community
The unique marketing tool allows developers to proudly advertise the outstanding environmental outcomes they have achieved in their projects.
EnviroDevelopment has been created to assist in the uptake of sustainability measures throughout all aspects of the development process and across all development types, including residential, retail, commercial and industrial, as well as mixed-use developments. Its purpose is to mainstream, through awareness, more sustainable development, beyond display projects.
Since the public launch of the system in October 2006, EnviroDevelopment has been successful in growing awareness of sustainable development amongst developers, associated professionals, government agencies and consumers and provided recognition to exemplary projects. To date, over 78 projects have been certified nationally.