By Brendan Rees
Residents at a new housing estate in Lyndhurst are set to enjoy huge water and energy savings in a sustainable game-changing project.
Villawood’s Aquarevo project is proposed to cut drinking water usage by up to 70 per cent through on-site rainwater capture and recycled water that will feature in the 460-home development.
The homes will also offer a rooftop solar system, where many will receive Sonnen batteries, which together can provide up to 80 per cent of a household’s annual energy requirements.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville officially launched a new Aquarevo House in Lyndhurst on Tuesday 20 August.
Designed and built by Arden Homes, the house has an 8-star energy rating and has been built using both affordable and sustainable materials – providing a blue-print for future developments across Australia.
“Projects like Aquarevo are a great example of how we can use integrated water management to ease the burden on our water supplies,” Ms Neville said.
Residents will have three types of water saving technologies invented by South East Water including smart rainwater tanks, rain-to-hot water and pressure sewer systems.
The first Aquarevo residents moved into their new homes in June, and are already seeing the sustainable and economic benefits of living at the water sensitive estate.
The Aquarevo development is in the Danendong Integrated Water Management (IWM) Forum Area which progresses water cycle planning and management.
Three additional projects received government investment through the forum including: Alternative Water to the Dingley Green Wedge, Sandown Racecourse IWM, and Alternative Water for Fountain Gate – Narre Warren Metropolitan Activity Centre.
Aquarevo is a unique collaboration between Victorian Government, South East Water and Villawood Properties.
