Stockland is lauding the start of construction of Waterlea, the latest sustainable community, that forms part of its growing medium density pipeline of more than 3,000 townhomes across the country.

Waterlea has already been recognised with a 6 Star Green Star communities rating by Green Building Council of Australia and each home will be designed to achieve a minimum 6 star NatHERS ratings.

Located in Melbourne’s south-east corridor, the $133 million Waterlea development in Rowville, is set to become one of the most sustainable developments in Australia with approximately $10,000 worth of sustainability features as standard in every home, to provide direct cost savings to residents.

Upon completion in 2021, the 6.3-hectare Waterlea project will include a mix of 22 standalone and semi-detached homes, 138 architecturally designed two, three or four bedroom townhouses and 30 boutique apartments.

Stockland has also committed to a five per cent social housing target ensuring an inclusive and accessible community for all price points and stages of life.

Waterlea will incorporate 45 hectares of parkland, wetland and heritage precinct with 190 premium homes, townhomes and boutique apartments. The community will also feature parks, walking trails and a central green with BBQ facilities and be well- connected to transport, retail and schools.

Ben Cantwell, Stockland general manger for Development – Medium Density, Apartments and Retirement Living, says the future community had been designed to bring together modern residential homes with surrounding open space to create a new model for city living in middle ring suburbs.

“Waterlea is set to become an exemplar development, demonstrating the full range of design and affordability benefits of building the right level of density in the right location and showcasing the future of sustainable community living.”

“Most importantly, every home at Waterlea will also include innovative sustainability features as standard, including electric vehicle recharge points, gas boosted solar hot water, water tanks for toilet flushing and laundry usage and solar panels,” he says.

“We estimate that the solar panel systems alone will save future residents between $1,000 and $2000 in energy costs per annum.”