HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question about housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Is the minister aware of any progress made in South Australia towards developing ecologically sensitive housing developments?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:52): I thank the honourable member for his important question. This month I had the great pleasure of attending the official opening of Australia's most ecologically sustainable residential display village at Hayborough, near Victor Harbor. Beyond, as the development is called, is a highly sustainable $160 million residential development, with more than 220 allotments, which also incorporates a newly-created 64 hectare stormwater catchment and wetland system overlooking Encounter Bay.

More than 75 per cent of the entire landholding is dedicated to wetlands, parks and reserves. The water-sensitive urban design used in developing this village maximises every bit of run-off within its streetscape, environments and reserves. I would like to acknowledge Steve Wright and his team at Environmentally Sustainable Developments (ESD), which is pioneering a new way of developing residential communities in this state. The display village at Beyond shows that new housing in this state can be offered in a way that not only provides comfortable and stunning environments to live near Port Elliot but also in a way that actually benefits rather than destroys the surrounding environment and ecosystem.

Creating an ecologically-sustainable state is a vision that Steve Wright and ESD shares with this government. This government has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and awareness and realises the importance of good design to our state's sustainable future. By adopting international best practice in our building design and construction industries, as well as in policies and education, this government is ensuring that sustainability is incorporated into mainstream practices. Our built environment here in South Australia is a significant reflection of our commitment to live in a more sustainable fashion.

Good design can help transform that built environment, as well as influence the way in which we live, work and interact. South Australia's strategic plan recognises the importance of addressing issues, such as climate change, as well as the better use of natural resources, such as water, in many of its targets. These objectives include improved energy efficiency, both of private dwellings and government buildings. This government is also working with building owners to apply sustainable designs that will lift the environmental performance of their buildings.

As part of the 30-year plan for Greater Adelaide, the government is also looking at ways of promoting water-sensitive urban design, so that new residential developments are encouraged to adopt innovative and sustainable practices. I would also like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor in the urban development planning portfolio, the member for Taylor, the Hon. Trish White. Her role and that of her office was a key element in making the Beyond project a reality for South Australia. The display village at the Beyond site at Hayborough provides a showcase to demonstrate energy-efficient homes well above legislated requirements.

All homes within this development are built to stringent sustainability guidelines that include mandatory renewable energy systems, solar hot water systems, a minimum of 10,000 litres of rainwater catchment, high levels of insulation, high quality glazing, good orientation, cross ventilation and energy efficient principles. In developing the Beyond wetlands, ESD has aimed to restore and create 64 hectares of native wetland, native forest and estuarine ecosystem. This wetland is the basis of a 'water smart' stormwater project to collect, bio-filter and reuse stormwater from the surrounding residential townships and commercial and industrial areas—a catchment area of some 20 square kilometres.

It also aims to use extensive plantings of native provenance species, including native trees, grasses and reintroduced plant and fish species as 'seed banks' for other environmental restoration projects in South Australia. Complementing this native environment has been the donation of land for a two kilometre interpretive bike and walk trail for community use across and through the wetlands that will link with the Port Elliot-Victor Harbor bikeway. As someone who has been on that, for anyone who wants a great trail, that encounter bikeway really is a great facility for this.

Every home built within Beyond will be highly efficient, providing residents with a modern and comfortable living environment that will cost little to live in. Almost every allotment within the development shares at least one boundary with a park or reserve. This creates micro-climates that improve air flow, air quality, natural shading and light. I am certain that this new housing project will provide a benchmark for future ecologically-sustainable developments within this state and assist this government in achieving the environmental objectives set out in South Australia's State Strategic Plan.