Quattro delivers model of sustainability

Another step forward in sustainable home design was taken today (Monday 16 June), with the official opening of the Quattro Sustainable Home in Queens Park. The Quattro Sustainable Home now provides the people of Perth with a new source of information about creating a more sustainable home.

The home is an important part of Quattro: The New Queens Park, an urban renewal project being undertaken by the Department of Housing and Works, Peet Limited and the City of Canning.

Department of Housing and Works Director General John Coles, who officially opened the home, said he was particularly proud to officially launch a project that embodies all the exciting work the Department and its partners are now doing.

“Quattro will be another excellent example of the Department’s commitment to delivering more affordable housing lots, so more families and first homebuyers can realise their dreams,” Mr Coles said.

“It will also demonstrate how the Department’s urban renewal program can completely transform suburbs and the lives of people who live there.”

Mr Coles said the home demonstrates how sustainable practices can be incorporated into modern building designs in a highly affordable and practical way.

“The project partners are committed to sustainable development and the home is a great resource for people seeking information about what they can do in their own home to have a positive impact on the environment,” Mr Coles said.

Following the official proceedings guests were treated to a healthy lunch and tours of the home. The lunch menu reflected the produce found in the home’s edible garden and was prepared to highlight the benefits of incorporating a productive garden into the family home.

Designed by Solar Dwellings and built by Redink Homes, the Quattro Sustainable Home achieves an impressive 7-star rating for thermal performance.

It features 185sqm of living space including an open plan living area located to the rear, and a multifunctional living space at the front of the home.

Solar Dwellings Director Griff Morris said true passive solar design was a challenge with the Quattro Sustainable Home, given the constraints of the block.

“It is a great demonstration of what can be achieved on a ‘non-ideal’ block,” he said. “Many existing blocks in Perth face the same challenge so it was important for us to show that a naturally comfortable, light and airy home is possible.”

“With a few simple modifications the single story home can be built on any flat, north-east or north-west oriented block with as narrow a frontage as 12.5 metres and will achieve excellent thermal performance for natural heating and cooling.”

Just some of the Home’s key features include:

• Passive solar design;
• Energy efficient and natural lighting;
• Rainwater harvesting and grey water re-use system;
• Sustainable landscaping;
• Energy efficient fixtures, fittings and appliances;
• Universal design for access; and
• Low allergen, low toxicity and low maintenance materials.

Peet Limited Managing Director Brendan Gore said the project was a great example of what can be achieved through partnerships between the private sector and all levels of government.

“The urban renewal of Queens Park is providing great benefits to the community, and the opening of the Quattro Sustainable Home marks a key milestone in the project,” said Mr Gore.

“This home provides a valuable resource for everyone looking for tips on how to improve the
sustainability of their own home.”

The Quattro Sustainable Home is located at 325 Wharf Street, Queens Park and is now open to the public on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm and both Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. It will also be come the Quattro Sales and Information Centre when sales commence later this year.

For more information about Quattro: The New Queens Park estate, please visit
www.quattroqueenspark.com.au.

A warm welcome for new Wellard residents

More than 100 residents and purchasers took the opportunity to meet some of their new neighbours at the Wellard Residents Welcome event hosted by joint venture partners Peet Limited and the Department of Housing and Works on Sunday (13 April).

The event, which was held at Linear Park from 11am until 1pm provided the opportunity to mingle with other new residents, connect with local community groups and learn more about upcoming events and future developments planned for the estate.

Peet Limited Managing Director Brendan Gore said events like this provided a good platform for building a strong community.

“It’s a great start to moving into a new area,” said Mr Gore. “The opportunity to meet some of your neighbours makes it easier to feel connected to the community as soon as you move in.”

And the community spirit was buzzing on Sunday, with free entertainment setting the scene for a fun day out with face painting, games and activities as well as a scrumptious sausage sizzle.

All of the guests also received a reusable The Village at Wellard Welcome bag filled with valuable information to help them settle into the community.

Department of Housing and Works Deputy Director General Housing Services Kerry Fijac said the Government is committed to creating a new, vibrant and sustainable community at Wellard and providing opportunities for quality and affordable housing.

“With more than 650 homesites sold and around 150 households moved in to the estate, there’s a great sense of community developing at The Village at Wellard,” said Ms Fijac.

The 2700-lot community is the first walkable transit-oriented development to be built on the Southern Suburbs Railway. It also features more than 30 hectares of landscaped parks including 17 hectares dedicated as a Bush Forever site and a further 10 hectares reserved as conservation wetlands.

The Village at Wellard aims to encourage greater use of public transport, cycling and walking as well as promoting social cohesion, social diversity, conservation, public safety and community revitalisation.

There are currently a variety of options available for people interested in joining The Village at Wellard community.

There are still a few lots available on Beauchamp Loop and Halstead Turn in Wellard, all within a few minutes’ walk of the new Wellard Train Station, the bus station and future café strip, shops and medical facilities.

There are also some very affordable titled lots available in the Village Rise, Leda which has been made even more attractive with the Smart Buy incentive available on selected lots for a limited time only. This provides buyers with a $10,000 ‘finishing touches’ bonus as well as a generous front garden landscaping package, side and rear fencing, and retaining walls where necessary.

For more information visit The Village at Wellard Sales and Information Office on the corner of Runnymede Gate and Cliveden Avenue, Wellard which is open on Monday and Tuesday from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday 3.30pm to 5pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm or please visit www.thevillageatwellard.com.au.

Forward planning reaps railway benefits for The Village at Wellard

Careful master-planning and community design will see The Village at Wellard reap the maximum benefits from the new Perth to Mandurah railway.

The 2700-lot community is a joint venture between Peet Limited and the Department of Housing and Works and is the first walkable transit-oriented development to be built on the Southern Suburbs Railway.

Proving how important the estate is to the Perth to Mandurah line, Wellard Station was the new train’s only stop during its first journey from Mandurah to Perth on 23 December last year.

It was a day of celebration with more than 1,000 Wellard residents enjoying a free community event to commemorate the opening of the new train station as well as the arrival of the first train.

Peet Limited Managing Director Brendan Gore said the new train line is a key component of the estate’s transit-oriented design and will provide numerous benefits to residents and the surrounding community.

"Through careful planning, nearly all of The Village at Wellard homes will be within a 10-minute walk of the train station, making it an attractive transport alternative whether commuting for work or visiting family and friends,” Mr Gore said.

“The community has been designed to be environmentally sustainable on every level – from the protection of the surrounding environment to energy and water usage in the estate’s homes.”

Wellard resident James Manning said the train will make a huge difference for him commuting to the city each day for work.

“Catching the train to and from work each day is great, but it is so convenient to have the train station just a few minutes walk from home,” Mr Manning said. “

It is estimated that the new train line will carry 50,000 passengers a day to and from Mandurah and Perth. As well as Wellard, it will stop at the southern suburbs of Bull Creek, Murdoch, Cockburn, Kwinana, Rockingham, Warnbro and Mandurah.

There are currently a variety of homesite options available for people interested in joining The Village at Wellard community.

The most recent release included the first land south of the railway line in Wellard. The lots, located on Beauchamp Loop and Halstead Turn, range in size from 362sqm to 840sqm and are all within a few minutes walk of the new Wellard Train Station, the bus station and future café strip, shops and medical facilities.

There are also some very affordable titled lots available in the Village Rise, Leda which has been made even more attractive with the Smart Buy incentive available on selected lots for a limited time only. This provides buyers with a $10,000 ‘finishing touches’ bonus as well as a generous front garden landscaping package, side and rear fencing, and retaining walls where necessary.

For more information or to pick up a train time-table visit The Village at Wellard Sales and Information Office on the corner of Runnymede Gate and Cliveden Avenue, Wellard which is open on Monday and Tuesday from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday 3.30pm to 5pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.