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Tony
De Domenico Executive Director UDIA
(VIC) |
Rising
Energy and Water Prices Boosts Importance of Green
Development
Melbourne
Wednesday 5 October 2011:
Creating green healthy environments will continue
to underpin major design elements of future housing
developments, the Urban Development Institute
of Australia Victoria - UDIA (VIC) said today.
Executive
Director of UDIA (VIC), Tony De Domenico said,
"the current carbon tax and climate change debate,
combined with sky rocketing energy and water prices
across Victoria, has placed a sharp focus on green
and healthy developments where home buyers were
looking at the running costs of their new home
and the quality of their surrounding environment."
"Home
buyers are becoming more and more discerning.
They want to buy a lifestyle, not just a house
and land package and they want this lifestyle
to be sustainable," Mr De Domenico said.
"Three
years ago the UDIA (VIC) launched the EnviroDevelopment
program, a scientifically-based branding system
designed to make it easier for purchasers to recognise
and select more environmentally sustainable developments
and lifestyles."
"The
EnviroDevelopment program is unique in that it
assesses the whole of a development for its sustainability
credentials, not just individual homes. Its accreditation
system recognises excellence in the areas of water,
energy, ecosystems, community, materials and waste."
"Many
housing developments by UDIA (VIC) members over
the past decade have made substantial contributions
to local and collectively environments through
the creation of parks, wetlands, lakes, cycling
and walking paths, enhancing habitat for wildlife."
Mr
De Domenico said the design of many projects has
provided home buyers the opportunity to be able
to orientate tens of thousands of homes to maximise
the heating and money saving benefits of passive
solar energy.
The
EnviroDevelopment program includes the following
principles:
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Encourage
maintenance (during and after construction)
of native vegetation where existing, and rehabilitation
of locally indigenous vegetation where not
already in existence in a healthy state.
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Encourage
protection (during and after construction)
of habitats for native animals, where existing
or rehabilitation of such habitats where not
already in existence in a healthy state.
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Protect
habitats and maintain connectivity to minimise
connectivity to reduce fragmentation.
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Avoid
water pollution and degradation of water quality
in waterways and natural systems and remediate
any water quality problems occurring on site
or in neighbouring areas.
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Minimise
disruption to landform and natural ecosystems.
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Encourage
development on previously developed or degraded
sites, whilst considering affordability
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Promote
biodiversity awareness.
Visit
www.envirodevelopment.com.au for
further details.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate
Media Communications - Mobile: 0417 329 201
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EnviroDevelopment is a
ground-breaking environmental assessment scheme designed
to inspire and increase sustainable development
throughout Victoria.