First homes under construction at $250m Halcyon Greens on the Gold Coast

AS CONSTRUCTION of the first homes begins at Halcyon Greens on the Gold Coast’s northern growth corridor, semi-retired couple Joy Tragardh and Bill Harrison are looking forward to going ‘off the grid’ when they move in later this year.The couple is taking ‘green pastures’ to a new level after securing a new Tesla battery operated home at Australia’s first over 50s golf and residential lifestyle community.Shifting from a conventional gas and electricity-powered home in Brisbane, the couple is looking forward to never having to pay another power bill.“We needed a change from normal suburbia, and loved the idea of living in a country club community and having a home that will run completely on battery,” Mr Harrison said.“The great thing about Halcyon is that the homes are all very modern and not one home is the same.“The homes are beautifully designed, with impressive community facilities and it is very green.”Developer Halcyon has started construction on seven homes in the first release of the $250 million Halcyon Greens development, located on a 34ha site in the emerging Yawalpah Road residential precinct at Pimpama.The development is surrounded by conservation zones and natural wetlands, and offers $15 million of extensive facilities within the community.New homes at Halcyon Greens feature superior energy-rated homes with 3kW solar panels, ideal for medium sized homes.After relocating from Rochedale, Joy and Bill say they are looking forward to community living at Halcyon Greens where they can enjoy and share common interests with their new neighbours.“We previously purchased a home and moved into quite a young suburb and found that we didn’t have much in common with our neighbours because of the age gap,” said Mr Harrison.“After considerable research and visiting Halcyon Glades in Caboolture, where we absolutely loved the atmosphere and community feel, we decided to settle on Halcyon Greens.“We are so excited about this next chapter of our lives. It will be a complete change of direction for us.”Halcyon joint managing director Bevan Geissmann said with the first homes now under construction there has been a growing number of homeowners within the group’s communities adopting new, greener technology in their homes.“The Tesla Powerwall systems are an investment in themselves but the cost benefits are more than enough for homeowners to opt for the switch,” Mr Geissmann said.Powering the couple’s decision to invest in a battery-operated home was the obvious long-term cost benefits of the installation, as well as the independence and security that comes with the technology.“Our daughter actually works in the energy industry and told us that moving to a battery-operated home is a no brainer,” Mr Harrison said.“Gas bills have always been a killer and we are excited to not have to worry about electrifying energy costs.“There is so much more independence and security that comes with having this technology system in place. Now, we won’t ever have to worry about power outages and energy costs rising.”This home will be the first battery-operated household for the couple and they couldn’t be more excited.“Bill loves his gadgets and technology and he is very eager to experience this new system,” Mrs Tragardh said.The couple will be one of many planning to move into the their Halcyon Greens home in September this year.