Leading by example

From left, Adam Selvay, Daniel

By Bridget Cook
This week the Selandra Community Place concept was unveiled – an interactive display home that will demonstrate a variety of sustainable initiatives around improving the environment, health and wellbeing of local residents and the wider community.
The centre, located within the Selandra Rise residential community, will be completed and open to the public in March next year.
The partners behind Selandra Community Place, City of Casey, Stockland, Henley Properties Group and South East Councils Climate Change Alliance, have identified four key themes; energy, waste, water and wellbeing – around which all aspects of the home have been modelled.
City of Casey councillor Shar Balmes said it was fantastic that such an exciting innovation will give residents access to a myriad of information and a small business centre in their local neighbourhood.
“Selandra Community Place is an Australian-first concept which will provide a range of innovative resources for our community,” she said.
“We encourage residents to pay a visit to Selandra Community Place when it opens in March, to discover information that will assist them in choosing sustainable options for their homes, activities on offer to improve their health and wellbeing and ways they can meet their neighbours and feel more connected to their community.”
Selandra Community Place is currently being constructed by project partner, Henley Properties Group.
When complete, it will feature a range of interactive displays, DVD animations and information cards which have been created on each of the four themes to demonstrate how residents can save money on energy, learn how to be efficient with general waste and water and improve their overall wellbeing.
Henley Properties energy, sustainability and innovation manager Adam Selvay said the site’s orientation, building techniques and materials demonstrate the benefits of an eight-star, zero energy home.
“For new home builders, including just some of the techniques and materials displayed, such as solar orientation, double glazing, insulation and air sealing will create financial and environmental savings for families,” he said.
The City of Casey will also offer a comprehensive range of sustainability programs and services and a small business centre at Selandra Community Place for residents’ use.
Selandra Community Place is located at 2 Forest Drive, Clyde North and once open will be managed and staffed by the City of Casey.
For more information on Selandra Rise Community Place visit: www.selandracommunityplace.com.au.