SALT Torquay set to provide the surfing capital of Australia with a coastal One Planet Living community
The Barwon Water development is located on the Victoria surf coast, in the township of Torquay, 20 minutes from Geelong, the largest regional city in Victoria.
When complete, SALT Torquay will provide a community of 81 efficient homes of villas, townhouses and units in lots ranging from 300m2 to 830m2. The development is located close to schools, amenities and public transport, with pedestrian and cycling paths connecting to amenities, sports facilities and beaches.
Barwon Water Acting Managing Director Jo Murdoch said SALT Torquay offered many long-term advantages through being a sustainably designed and built estate.
“The SALT Torquay One Planet Living community supports our organisational vision of providing value to our customers and community and contributing to greater regional prosperity, a more sustainable future and lower customer prices.”
“It is inspiring to see the commitment to One Planet Living by Barwon Water,” said Bioregional Australia Executive Officer Suzette Jackson. “SALT Torquay demonstrates leadership for livable communities in regional Victoria. It aims to provide a comfortable living environment for people with a range of physical abilities, connection to nature, and aims to be a vibrant and connected community.”
The SALT Torquay One Planet Action Plan demonstrates leadership across the ten principles of One Planet Living. It provides a clear outline of the commitment by Barwon Water to increase community health and wellbeing, reduce emissions, and targets 100% renewable energy onsite for residents.
Highlights include:
- Barwon Water is using SALT Torquay to test and pilot urban water initiatives, processes and outcomes, providing regional benefits;
- Onsite photovoltaic solar electricity generation coupled with battery storage, electric-only residential appliances, and thermally efficient housing will significantly reduce emissions onsite for residential end-users.
- A solar farm on adjacent land will provide offsets to the grid.
- Homes will provide infrastructure for fast electric charge stations and bicycle storage, with access to active and public transport.
- Bike and walking paths will connect to local amenities
- Raingardens and native landscaping throughout will increase biodiversity
- Resident guides and a community facilitator will assist community in living more sustainably.
Jackson says: “We look forward to seeing Barwon Water’s progress as it works towards delivering a healthy community within a smaller ecological footprint in regional Victoria.”