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18 December 2003
Forest Lake Achieves Australian First with HIA GreenSmart Initiative
Delfin Lend Lease at Forest Lake has set a new industry benchmark in sustainable development by becoming the first developer in Australia to sponsor builders to attend the Housing Industry Association (HIA) GreenSmart program.
The HIA GreenSmart program is an initiative that trains builders in ‘green’ design and building principles to provide environmentally responsive and cost effective housing in a mainstream setting.
With a GreenSmart builder customers can expect a home that is designed to be more comfortable and cost efficient to run, that their site will be managed environmentally when being built on and that the natural features of their land will be best used to achieve this.
Forest Lake will sponsor up to 50 of its key partner builders to undertake the course in the lead-up to the launch of its new village Sanctuary Pocket, which will focus on sensitivity towards its surrounding environment.
HIA Assistant Director of Planning and Environment, Rick Wiley said the HIA commended Delfin Forest Lake on its proactive approach to achieving lasting environmental improvements.
“Sponsoring individual builders to do the GreenSmart course is an excellent initiative and reinforces the Delfin corporate philosophy of increasing sustainable development outcomes in it’s communities,” Mr Wiley said.
“Builders not experienced in this type of design and construction process need to be encouraged and supported, rather than taken through a rigid regulatory approach.
“By participating in the course builders have the opportunity to ask questions while learning new skills and at the end of the day they walk away as an accredited HIA GreenSmart Builder.
“Through the sponsorship initiative Delfin Forest Lake is continuing in its role as a leader in the development of sustainable communities.”
Forest Lake Project Director Darlene Clark said the builders who had already participated in the GreenSmart course were able to learn practical skills, which could be applied to all aspects of housing design and construction.
“Feedback from the first group of Forest Lake builders who did the HIA GreenSmart course in early October was very positive,” Ms Clark said.
“Everyone walked away from the course officially accredited as a HIA GreenSmart builder and armed with new ideas on how to improve the sustainability and cost effectiveness of their design and construction processes.
“With the launch of our new “green” village Sanctuary Pocket just around the corner, GreenSmart accredited builders will find themselves in strong demand as customers more than ever desire their homes to be affordable, comfortable, efficient and quality assured.”
Amongst the first builders to attend the course were Plantation Homes and Koocha Constructions.
Plantation Homes Sales and Marketing Manager Richard Sterry said the course offered practical advice that could be of benefit to anyone in the building industry.
“Initially I had a very limited idea of what the GreenSmart course was going to be about, but I found it really informative and everything they spoke about was relevant to me personally and my company,” Mr Sterry said.
“I actually discovered that we’re already doing some things the GreenSmart course recommends, such as using cool tone window tinting and steering clear of exposed aggregate driveways, which are constructed using environmentally damaging chemicals.
“Now I can better explain to my sales team and our customers why using these methods is better for the environment, can potentially save home owners money and improve the comfort of living in Queensland. I can also teach them about new things I’d like to implement as a result of the course.”
Forest Lake is being developed by Delfin Lend Lease, Australia’s largest developer of masterplanned communities with 20 projects across Australia.
For more information please contact:
Kylie Barlow
Forest Lake
(07) 3275 0262media
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