Developer sets benchmark for sustainable retirement living

Halcyon has become the first over 50s developer in Australia to achieve coveted EnviroDevelopment certification from the Urban Development Institute of Australia for its Halcyon Landing community at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast.The $90 million project, which will ultimately see 170 homes constructed on a 22ha site on the Maroochy River, achieved certification for all six EnviroDevelopment elements – ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.Halcyon joint managing director Bevan Geissmann said the accolade was a coup for the developer given environmental sustainability had been a major focus of the project since its inception.“From acquiring the site for Halcyon Landing, right through to designing and building the homes, reducing our carbon footprint has been a significant consideration,” Dr Geissmann said.“We are very proud to be the first retirement developer to achieve EnviroDevelopment certification in all six elements and we hope this paves the way for other retirement community developers to follow suit.“Not only is the monetary saving associated with water and energy efficiency of huge importance to retirees, the fact that they’re treading lighter on the earth in their later years gives them peace of mind for future generations.“This certification and the extremely positive market response to Halcyon Landing gives us confidence we are taking the Halcyon brand in the right direction.”Chair of the UDIA’s National EnviroDevelopment Board of Management, Brent Thomas said Halcyon should be commended for its desire and ability to meet the needs of both the seniors’ market and the natural environment.“It is great to see an over 50's developer carefully consider, not only the wishes of its residents, but also those of the neighbouring community and the environment and they deserve recognition via the EnviroDevelopment tool,” Mr Thomas said.“Halcyon has delivered to the Coast a leading, environmentally astute development. They have created somewhere desirable for those over 50 to not only live, but more importantly to enjoy, leveraging and enhancing the benefits of the development’s natural surroundings.”“An environmentally sustainable development makes good sense in terms of living expenses and the residents of Halcyon Landing will reap the benefits of cleverly designed, energy efficient homes well into the future.”Halcyon Landing’s EnviroDevelopment certification was made possible by a series of sustainability initiatives including retaining 55 per cent of the site for parkland and conservation and aligning roads to a north-south axis, allowing maximum sun penetration to principal rooms and courtyards.The developer’s quest for sustainability also influenced the various home designs offered by Halcyon, all of which come with eight-star energy ratings and 1.5KW PV solar panels.The project’s 170 homes are being constructed with Hebel panelling, water efficient fixtures, thermal insulation, light coloured roofing and gas hot waters systems. Carefully considered layouts and designs allow residents to age in place with integrated accessibility and support features catering to their changing lifestyle needs.Community initiatives recognised by the UDIA  include communal compost and vegetable gardens, construction of a 1.1 kilometre public walking trail running through the site’s environmental buffer zone and the purchase of a communal mini bus, reducing reliance on vehicular transport for group events.Halcyon recently opened a $3 million recreation club at the project, the largest the developer has ever delivered, offering home owners access to extensive lifestyle facilities and fostering community integration.Other recreational facilities at Halcyon Landing include a championship-size bowling green, flood-lit tennis court, swimming pool, spa and gymnasium.Halcyon Landing is the third south east Queensland project for the company, which also developed Halcyon Parks at Caloundra and is in the final stages of its Halcyon Waters community at Hope Island.Halcyon is recognised as a unique retirement brand in Australia and its no exit fee model and superior lifestyle inclusions have made it a revolutionary template for the retirement sector.The EnviroDevelopment certification joins a stable of UDIA acknowledgements for Halcyon which received the UDIA Qld Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for Halcyon Parks in 2006 and Halcyon Waters in 2009.Halcyon Landing is nominated in four categories of the UDIA Qld Awards for Excellence this year, including Affordability, Seniors Living and Environmentally Sustainable Development (built form and land based).Visit halcyondays.com.au/halcyon-landing for more information.