Barwon Water has gone into property development with a “new standard” of residential estate at Torquay.
The water authority announced plans for the Salt estate on Wednesday, calling it “the region’s first 7.5-star residential development”.
Barwon Water unveiled Salt around a week after announcing it had gone into the maintenance business, establishing a company to provide in-house services while seeking “further opportunities” elsewhere.
The authority plans to develop Salt on the site of a disused water basin off Grossmans Road, west of Torquay College.
The “innovative, sustainable urban development” would put into practice Barwon Water’s zero-emissions targets and integrated water management systems, the authority said.
“By developing the site for sustainable housing, Barwon Water can reduce pressure on water bills and activate the otherwise dormant landholding.”
Salt would also “boost regional prosperity”, said Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter.
The estate would “target” local contractors while stimulating more than $50 million of development, she said.
“Transforming the former basin site into a showcase of innovative urban development is a win-win for sustainability and customer prices.
“The estate has been carefully designed to deliver key outcomes for the community, including connection to quality local recreational facilities, improved well-being opportunities, a light environmental footprint and low living costs while delivering a high standard of living.
“We are incredibly proud of our plans for the site. This estate really sees us walk the talk in terms of living our goals of zero emissions, zero waste and delivering customer and community value.”
Barwon Water said the estate would include “eco-features” such as household battery storage and a 250kW solar array on the authority’s land opposite the estate.
Renewable power would cover “most of the estate’s total energy demand”, Barwon Water said.
Each home would also have electric car-charging points and harvest rain to achieve a “minimum” 7.5-star energy rating.
Smart water meters using “Internet of Things technology” would be integrated as well, the authority said.
“Integrated water-cycle management has been incorporated in the design of the estate, with swales, a raingarden, integrated landscaping and a nature playground as part of the stormwater retention system.
“Salt Torquay exemplifies Barwon Water’s goal in its strategy 2030 of switching to renewable energy technologies and underscores its commitment to sustainable water practices.”
Last week’s Indy reported that Barwon Water had set up a company to take back maintenance services from Perth-based Programmed Facilities Management (PFM).
Barwon Water said its new company had taken on all PFM’s staff to provide in-house services while also seeking “further opportunities in the region”.
“This will include providing high-quality customer emergency response, smart infrastructure, civil, mechanical and electrical maintenance, and infrastructure project delivery.“
The company, Barwon Asset Solutions, was an “exciting example” of the authority’s “new entrepreneurial approach”, said board chair Jo Plummer.
