Ecorevo: South East Water and Villawood's 7-star energy efficiency breakthrough
Victoria’s most water-sustainable residential development, Aquarevo, is going 7-star with the final release of lots at its Lyndhurst community.
The 24-lot Ecorevo precinct rounds out an extraordinary, and UDIA award-winning, collaboration between developer Villawood Properties and South East Water in the 470-lot project.
Located on a decommissioned water purification plant, Aquarevo offers up to 70% drinking water savings and reduces CO2 by 1460 tonnes a year, the same as taking almost 300 cars off the road. Its solar systems also offer 60% energy saving on power bills.
The new Ecorevo release will see 7-star energy efficiency and further bill-buster savings through a range of siting, size and orientation initiatives together with a range of materials, shading, thermal, glazing, lighting, appliance and other features.
While six-star energy efficiency is the current industry standard, few developers have attempted to step up to seven stars in a mainstream suburban residential project. Villawood has been spearheading a sustainable housing roadshow to industry, government agencies and others, pushing the case for zero emission projects to counter rising temperatures and energy costs.
Ecorevo represents an important breakthrough in the evolution of more sustainable mainstream housing. It is even moreso for its ongoing collaboration with South East Water.
The Ecorevo precinct offers effortless year-round comfort with homes designed to stay warmer in winter and cooler throughout summer’s extremes. Residents can breathe easy with gas-free appliances and temperature controls providing better air quality and health.
Savings garnered from the 7-star efficiencies also offer owners the opportunity to service their mortgage quicker and easier, or simply freeing up disposable income for holidays, school fees, retirement or entertainment.
Villawood Executive Director Rory Costelloe said sustainable housing was set to become more prominent in residential housing and Ecorevo, coming on the back of Aquarevo’s widely recognised water/power performance, would be an important springboard.
“The industry needs to see that this can be done, and done effectively and cost-effectively,”
- Villawood Executive Director Rory Costelloe
“Builders in particular need to know this kind of sustainability is achievable. They should already know it’s what more and more home buyers want so they really need to get on board.” he said
“Aquarevo has been a great example of what we can do with water – and what we can do working with government. Ecorevo takes this all a step further and every step is a step closer to a healthier planet, to healthier lifestyles and more sustainable communities.”
“Aquarevo is now a living, breathing community that proves there are better ways we can use and re-use water. This enables us to reduce our reliance on our precious drinking water supplies.”
“With over 200 houses now completed at Aquarevo, we’re seeing real water and energy saving results from these residents. The release of Ecorevo is exciting because it further enables homebuyers and the building industry to make sustainable choices with real outcomes for the environment and our water supplies.”
- South East Water Managing Director Lara Olsen
Buyers at Ecorevo will be able to select from a range of 7-star home designs for Ecorevo’s sites by leading builders, including Arden Homes, Metricon, SBG, Simonds and SJD Homes. Alternatively, they can utilise their own designers, architects, builders and energy specialists.
About Aquarevo
The development on the site of the former Cranbourne Treatment Plant in Lyndhurst minimises the use of potable water by using rainwater tanks to supply hot water to homes and also recycling water on site for residents’ toilets and gardens. Household water-tanks within the community are controlled by technology as flood-retardant barriers. Ahead of a predicted storm, the tanks are emptied, allowing them to absorb roof water and mitigate run-off to streets and drains. Homes are connected to an intelligent pressure sewer system that pumps wastewater to a recycling plant in the project, treats it to Class A standard and returns it to each home for garden, toilet or washing machine use. The water recycling plant looks like a natural garden in a greenhouse and uses a low-energy, low-odour Organica Food Chain Reactor process. Aquarevo was awarded the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s 2019 Victorian Environmental Excellence Award.
To learn more, visit our Aquarevo page.
For further information or enquiries
Contact us at media@sew.com.au.