ASX-listed Ingenia Communities is setting a new standard in sustainable housing at scale, with the nation’s first all Green Star Homes community.
Green Star Homes Designed Certification has now been received for the suite of designs across the 262 home community in Beveridge, Victoria.
This landmark milestone is an Australian first, showcasing Ingenia’s commitment to creating sustainable and resilient communities offering environmentally conscious living for senior Australians.
The Green Star Homes certification, a standard set by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), assesses homes across three key impact categories: energy efficiency, health, and resilience. Each home in Ingenia’s Beveridge community is a net zero home, offsetting 100% of energy-related carbon emissions while enhancing resident wellbeing.
Key features include:
· Solar-powered and fully electric homes: Homes generate and use renewable energy, reducing reliance on the grid.
· Thermal efficiency: High-performance insulation, airtight design and thermally efficient windows achieve a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating, surpassing National Construction Code 2022 minimum standards.
· Healthier homes: Heat recovery ventilation systems improve indoor air quality while non-toxic building materials contribute to healthier homes.
Ingenia CEO John Carfi highlighted the broader industry impact:
“This initiative not only delivers sustainable, cost-effective housing for residents but also builds capacity across the construction sector. By working closely with the GBCA and our partners, we’re setting a benchmark that will help drive the adoption of sustainable design and construction methodologies across Australia.”
According to an analysis by Kinesis, the homes will save residents over $2,000* annually in household running costs compared to an original 30 year old gas powered home. Over a decade, this translates to more than $23,000* in savings, making sustainable living accessible and practical for older Australians.
Ingenia’s commitment extends beyond individual homes. The Beveridge community is also targeting a 4-star Green Star Communities certification, reflecting Australian best practice in sustainability and liveability. Features include:
· An embedded energy network: Delivering cost-effective, renewable energy to residents.
· Recycled water systems: Supporting gardening and non-drinking water needs.
· Communal EV: Encouraging sustainable transport options.
Ingenia’s collaboration with the GBCA and sustainability experts is helping to build expertise across the new housing sector. Lessons learned from this project will inform future developments through enhanced sustainable design guidelines to create scalable, sustainable housing solutions.
Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, said Ingenia’s achievement of GBCA’s Green Star Homes Designed certification raises the bar for sustainable living.
“By committing to homes designed to achieve net-zero emissions in operations, Ingenia is meeting the growing demand for housing that is sustainable, healthy, and cost-effective. This project shows how Green Star can help Australians retire into homes that are better for their wallets, their wellbeing, and the planet.”
This groundbreaking project aligns with Ingenia’s commitment to achieving net-zero operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) in 2035. As the first developer to implement Green Star Homes at scale, Ingenia is demonstrating that sustainable design can be both commercially viable and environmentally responsible.
“Ingenia is not only building homes but a blueprint for a sustainable future,” Mr Carfi said.
“The Beveridge community represents the next generation of community-focused, eco-friendly living.”
With Green Star Homes Designed certification achieved, home construction has commenced, with the first residents expected to move in mid-2025.
Land lease communities are an increasingly popular option for downsizers seeking affordable homes, premium facilities and social activities, with more than 130,000 seniors living in land lease communities around the country.**
Ends
*Kinesis ‘Green Star Home Sustainability Analysis Report,’ October 2024. Ingenia Lifestyle commissioned sustainability consultancy Kinesis to analyse the financial and environmental benefits of a Green Star Home compared to a 30 year old home with a gas connection for heating, cooking and hot water. To provide a like-for-like comparison, both houses are single storey, standalone homes designed for 2 people, with 3 bedrooms and a total floor area of 175.5 sqm. The 30 year old home is assumed to have a 5-star NatHERS thermal performance rating while the Green Star home has a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating. This approach controls any physical differences in the home and allows for effective sustainability performance comparison. The analysis assumes 3% inflation per annum for 10 years based on RBA projections.
**Australian Land Lease Communities – An Overview, September 2024, Chadwick Property Valuers.
For more information on Green Star Homes visit https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-system/homes/
About Ingenia Communities
Ingenia Communities is top 200 ASX-listed operator, owner and developer of land lease communities, senior rentals, and holiday parks. Its $2.5 billion portfolio includes 102 communities and development sites including 30 land lease communities across Australia where 1,700 residents choose to own their own home. www.ingeniacommunities.com.au