Since 2008, Villawood has gifted the equivalent in total size of each residential block it sells, to the State Forest system, helping to preserve the beautiful Kamarooka Forest, which sits within the Greater Bendigo National Park. This land is a critical habitat for local indigenous flora and fauna and is also home to the bees that produce Villawood’s delicious honey.
This ensures the forest is preserved for future generations and each new resident is given a tub of Villawood honey in recognition that they have given back to their community and their environment, just by buying into a Villawood development. Villawood has already gifted more than 2 million square metres of land through this initiative, or approximately 5,500 lots. This is around 200 times the size of Melbourne’s MCG.
Additionally, tree planting days have become a regular event across our communities to hosted to drive engagement with our residents and deliver positive environmental outcomes
Villawood is committed to supporting government initiatives that will help secure water supplies for current and future generations. In 2016, we launched Aquarevo in partnership with State Government Utility provider South East Water. Aquarevo is a ground-breaking development in Lyndhurst that incorporates water-sensitive design principles and innovative technology. The development was recognised for water and energy-efficient urban residential development by the UDIA across six areas of sustainability – water, ecosystems, community, waste, materials and energy (EnviroDevelopment accreditation).
We also introduced recycled water at Marriott Waters in 2003, contributing its four leaf EnviroDevelopment accreditation, and have since delivered recycled water to 10 further communities.
Supporting charities is integral to the Villawood spirit and each year dozens organisations, sports clubs, neighbourhood and community groups are recipients of assistance, ranging from financial grants through to good old fashioned elbow grease.
Villawood works with a range of organisations across Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Warrnambool, NSW and Queensland, from actively seeking community groups that may not have the profile to attract larger sponsors through to its flagship philanthropic initiative, the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal Charity Home Auction. In 2019, we were proud to build on the partnership with our GFA collaborators, Henely, working with their QLD arm, Plantation Homes, to deliver the Mater House for Life which raised nearly $1million for premature and critically ill babies.
Villawood’s philosophy is to make buying a home accessible to families and First Home Buyers. Every family is different, so we offer a range of lot sizes and mixed density in all developments to improve affordability and cater to all demographics and budgets. We also work closely with our builder partners to offer the most cost-effective build solutions and improve affordability.
We also aim to design developments that help attract major retailers and provide economic benefit to the community, including the creation of employment opportunities within the local area and within developments themselves. Some of our most recent initiatives include:
Award Winning Initiatives
For nearly thirty years Villawood has led the way in pairing innovation with sustainability to create award-winning communities
2018 – Armstrong, Mt Duneed received the UDIA Award for Excellence in Community Engagement in recognition of leadership and innovation in services and social infrastructure in residential projects
2017 – Aquarevo, Lyndhurst receives Six Leaf UDIA EnviroDevelopment accreditation in recognition of its innovative approach to water management
2016 – Armstrong, Mt Duneed receives the UDIA Annual Awards for ExcellenceLandscape Award in recognition of the Australian-first Green Street Display Village concept, combining a closed-street display village with a children’s playground.
2014 -Armstrong Mt Duneed becomes Villawood’s first community to Be awarded the UDIA’s Six Leaf EnviroDevelopment accreditation
2013 – Villawood Properties wins the 2013 UDIA Victoria Award for Excellence – Master Planned Development and the Melbourne Water Recognition Award for its’ Marriott Waters community
2010 – Marriott Waters awarded the UDIA’s EnviroDevelopment Four Leaf accreditation in recognition of the its high level of conservation and the implementation of ecosystems, as well its dedication to saving water and energy.
2008 – Seasons Green Guide Tarneit is named a finalist in the United Nations (Aus) Enviro Awards
2005 – Seasons Tarneit is bestowed the Environmental Award by the City of Wyndham and named a Finalist in thr Premier’s Sustainability Award for the Seasons Green Guide