Block for block, Villawood has gifted a total 580 hectares of bushland since 2008. That’s an extraordinary 290 MCGs-worth of bushland – and all of it into the Kamarooka Forest, in the Greater Bendigo National Park.
This unrivalled green initiative has allowed the preservation of critical natural habitat for a large number of local indigenous flora and fauna species. It ensures the forest is preserved for future generations.
It’s just part of Villawood’s intrinsic connection to the natural Australian environment, to sustainability – across various forms from energy to community – and to community.
This Villawood forestSTAR initiative is coupled with apiarist operations in the bushland that maintain vital honey-bee activity to ensure flora pollination and safeguard ongoing environmental health.
Villawood sources two tonnes of honey each year from these operations which it gives away, in signature 1kg tubs, to purchasers across its communities and to other associates.
This remarkable block for block land transfer is one part of a multi-faceted sustainability imperative by Villawood that aims to protect and enhance the environment, the use of energy resources and the human beings within its sphere of influence.
Villawood’s communities feature extensive wide open spaces, plantings and wetlands. Villawood has designed the most sustainable residential project in the country, at Aquarevo in Melbourne’s southeast, setting the pace for wholesale base changes across the entire residential housing sector.
The award-winning Aquarevo cuts water use by home-owners up to 70%. Solar panels generate 1000MWh of renewable energy a year, cutting reliance on non-renewables by up to 60%.
Villawood, in tandem with The Cape developer Brendon Condon, regularly presents industry roadshows and workshops highlighting the latest advances with thermal housing, zero emission housing, water and microgrid energy savings, community networks and food production.
Villawood believes sustainability starts with people. Its residential projects are specially designed for people to meet, make friends and build long-term relationships. This is enacted through street layout, paths and tracks, extensive playgrounds, resort-like residents’ clubs, staged events and a host of other activities and infrastructure.
Tree-planting days have become regular events across Villawood’s communities, to drive engagement with our residents and deliver positive environmental outcomes. Community gardens are a fixture in residents clubs.
Critically, Villawood is constantly seeking out the latest in sustainability research and technology to incorporate into its projects and leading by example.
The upshot: Villawood’s holistic approach to development is quite literally changing the way Australians live – and for the better.
