Developer plans green future
Developer plans green future
Plantation Palms’ CO2 savings could amount to two tonnes per home a year, or as much as 4000 tonnes in total a year.
26.10.2007 Mackay Mercury, written by Mark Bode
KIM Clarke has a vision for Mackay – and it’s green. Mr Clarke’s company, Xcel Properties, is behind what is being billed as the first sustainable urban development in the region. Plantation Palms, which was officially launched yesterday, is Mr Clarke’s baby and he believes “green” developments are the way of the future. “We’re developing something which will give future generations a better life – it’s a sustainable development,” he said. When Mr Clarke talks about Plantation Palms, he likes to reel off figures; figures he said benefited everyone. “Every house will save two tonnes of greenhouse emissions per annum,” he said. “That’s the equivalent of taking 930 cars off the road. “The entire development will save 4000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions per annum.” Mr Clarke wants the Queensland Government and local councils to change their way of thinking to make these types of projects easier to pull off. He said there were measures – such as blackwater treatment (converting raw sewage to water which can be used for showering, gardening or drinking) – which would improve Plantation Palms’ environmental credentials. “There are some issues the local council’s not up to speed with, such as allowing us to treat our own water – we can manage that on site,” he said. Mr Clarke said an increasing number of green developments were popping up around Australia. “It’s (similar developments) been done in other places in Australia but I believe it’s the first time it’s been done in Mackay,” he said. “What’s happening over the last 10 years is we’re seeing a gradual movement towards sustainability.” Plantation Palms is set on 278 hectares, with 53% of the site dedicated to open space/parklands. It will comprise two neighbourhoods and a range of detached homes with lots ranging in size from 400sq m to 1100sq m. Properties – ranging in price from $153,000 to $210,000 – will include villas, three-storey walk-ups and town homes. It will be a Telstra Smart community linked by fibre optic cabling which will provide every home with high-speed broadband internet access. A central community facility will be built around the old Eulbertie farmhouse and will include an arts area. Paul Ramsay, whose company Paul Ramsay Holdings is funding the project, said the development was special. “It will be a lovely place to live – there is a hell of a lot of parkland,” he said.
26 10 2007- Plans for green future