With living greener or leaving a lighter carbon footprint now high on the new home shopping list for many Australians, homes are increasingly being constructed with these values at their core. The appeal stretches much wider than ticking the eco-box; sustainably built homes can often deliver cost savings (due to increased energy efficiency) and better health outcomes thanks to warmer, drier homes with superior ventilation.
In this blog, we look at what sustainable living means, what you should look for in a new home, and how to find a community that utilises sustainable design principles.
What is living sustainably?
Sustainable living is a multi-faceted topic, whether it's the foods we eat, the energy we consume, where we shop, or how we commute. The primary aim of sustainable living is to reduce our personal and societal impact on the environment – by making conscious choices each day based on how they'll affect the planet tomorrow and into the future. Learn more about Cedar Woods' commitment to sustainability.
Sustainable home considerations
The homes and communities we choose can significantly impact our ability to live sustainably. Cedar Woods has a longstanding commitment to environmental and social responsibility, with many projects incorporating sustainable housing and communities. Here's what to look for:
- Location and community - locations and communities where infrastructure, amenities and green space are prioritised, can make sustainable living a breeze. Look for developments that provide easy access to public transport, embrace other forms of transportation like cycling or walking, have key amenities like supermarkets and schools nearby, and are planned to prioritise green space. Sustainably minded communities (such as the UDIA 5-Leaf EnviroDevelopment Accredited Bushmead) consider the environmental impacts of development and construction and build in a way that embraces the natural surroundings. Ready to find the perfect Cedar Woods community to buy in?
- Home construction – includes everything from passive solar design to sustainable building materials and environmentally considerate fixtures such as energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, EV charging stations and rainwater collection tanks. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) provides a star rating for all newly constructed homes, providing valuable insight into a home's energy efficiency.
With a NatHERS rating of 7.7 stars, the Monarch Apartments at Glenside are a great example of an apartment building designed with sustainability at the forefront. It's not only the clever design, building orientation, and materials but also the additional features such as solar panels, EV charging systems, last-person out switches, LED lighting and parcel lockers that contribute to the lasting sustainability of the building. The building will also contain a zero landfill waste management strategy and a three-bin system managed by a private waste company, ensuring everything is reused in some way and no waste ends up in a landfill.
- Transit Orientated Developments (TODs) - are innovative urban communities that maximise the walking proximity between public transportation and residential, business, and leisure spaces. As consumers increasingly look to connect with and look after the natural environment, TODs provide a highly sought-after lifestyle whilst simultaneously working to support challenges that come with urban sprawl and population growth.
Jackson Green is just one of Cedar Woods’ successful TODs that has been developed with sustainability in mind. Located in Clayton South, the community is well serviced by public transport and in close proximity to lifestyle outlets, schools and green space. As a result, car ownership is not always a necessary expense for residents and Cedar Woods has introduced a ride sharing initiative to further promote sustainable travel.
Choosing a home and community that embraces sustainability best practices is just one piece of the puzzle – your everyday actions also need to be considered to live a sustainable lifestyle. Find out what it's like to live in one of Cedar Woods Residential Land communities here.
Better for you and better for our future
By choosing a community and home that prioritises sustainability, reducing your impact on the environment becomes an effortless part of your everyday life. Cedar Woods aims to play a positive role in society over the long-term, through our products and services, which are fundamental to human wellbeing in homes and businesses, and through behaving responsibly in our markets and in our communities.
Is sustainability a top priority for your new home? Read more about what's driving the demand for sustainable housing in Australia, what key features to look out for, and simple tips for embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.