Environmental Benefits

Right from the outset of the project, it was a stated aim of the design team to maximise environmental efficiency.

In addition to this environmental goal being one of the core values of both Crighton Properties and Andrews Neil, as long term owner and manager of the proposed development, Crighton Properties also has a vested financial interest in the lifecycle costing aspects of the Heritage.

A retirement village is a long term investment. Many opportunities exist for the passing of monetary savings onto the end user, through reduced resource consumption and greater longevity of the built environment. It was the design team’s goal to fully explore these opportunities.

A number of key initiatives have been adopted in the concept plan for Bathurst that will ensure environmental efficiency in perpetuity;

1. The use of individual rain water tanks on each home suited to toilet flushing, laundry and external watering uses, as well as communal rainwater tanks for garden irrigation. This system alone is expected to result in household water consumption savings of up around 45%.
2. All houses have been carefully designed for passive solar comfort, through the correct use of orientation, thermal mass and insulation.
3. Landscaping has been carefully selected not only for appearance but to act as efficient wind breaks and shading devices.
4. Materials selected are predominantly locally available, and in many cases locally sourced. Similarly building systems have been selected to align with local skill sets. Both important considerations in today’s day and age of soaring oil prices and transport costs.
5. Other energy efficient features of the houses in the Heritage include low energy light fittings, electric boost solar hot water heating, ceiling fans, AAA rated plumbing fixtures etc.
6. A community bus will make daily trips to shops and other services, thus reducing the need for individual motor vehicle trips. The Heritage Resident Liaison & Activity Coordinator will also promote carpooling. Other services (eg, hairdressing salon, visiting podiatrist) will be available on site on a scheduled basis, also reducing the need to drive elsewhere.