Mernda Retirement Village green star rating

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), has recognised Stockland for taking an industry-leading approach to sustainable design and development, awarding the Mernda Retirement Village in Melbourne’s North, a 4 Star Green Star Custom Design certified rating. The accolade recognises Stockland’s ‘Best Practice' in environmentally sustainable building practices.

Mernda has been recognised for incorporating a wide range of environmentally sustainable features throughout the village to reduce energy and water usage and
minimise operating costs. Key features include:

• the use of energy-efficient and water-saving appliances and fixtures
• energy-efficient LED and compact fluorescent light fittings
• natural gas heating
• reduced flow water efficient tap and shower fittings and toilets.
• Solar-powered hot water systems

Each home in the village also has an energy monitor to allow real-time tracking of electricity used. All homes are designed to provide cross-flow ventilation to each living room and bedroom, improving indoor air quality and comfort.

The village and its new 800 square metre clubhouse also features low emission products used for paints, flooring and wood to improve the indoor environment quality within the spaces, sustainably sourced and certified timbers used throughout the project and more than 60% of the demolition and construction waste was recycled, reducing the waste going to landfill.

Sophie Pickett Heaps, Stockland National Design Manager for Retirement Living,said: “Through smart design of residents homes and the clubhouse we are not only delivering sustainable outcomes but also hip pocket savings for our residents.” It is estimated residents can save approximately $500 per year in expenses of running their home and over $14,000 per year in operating the clubhouse.”

Stockland has also considered the wellbeing of village residents by incorporating a number of ongoing social initiatives such as a community vegetable garden, pedestrian links and a private bus service linking into the nearby public transport system. A village Well Being Co-ordinator has also been employed to facilitate active living within the village with regular group activities and classes as well as encouraging the regular use of facilities such as the gym, pool, games areas and gardens. Incorporating these design features has provided a number of social benefits resulting in a healthy place to live and a connected community.

Mernda’s Green Star accreditation builds upon Stockland Retirement Living’s previous Green Star success at Affinity and Selandra Rise with both villages achieving 4 Star Green Star status.

With 63 occupied villas home to around 100 residents, Stockland continues to develop Mernda into a world class village incorporating best practice in environmental design and community building standards.

“We are extremely proud of our ongoing development in Retirement Living and look forward to continuing our Green Star leadership, not only challenging ourselves but also the industry to achieve the best possible environmental standards of design, construction and operation,” said Sophie Pickett Heaps.

Launched by the Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system for buildings and communities.

For media enquiries
Monique Jones
Media Relations Consultant
Stockland
T +61 (0)2 9035 3435
M +61 (0)438 995 791
Greg Spears
Senior Manager
Media Relations
Stockland
T +61 (0)2 9035 3263
M +61 (0)406 315 014