GEMLIFE’S FLAGSHIP GOLD COAST RESORT WILL FORM THE MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL OF THE COMPANY’S FUTURE OVER-50S COMMUNITIES.
Following the official launch of GemLife’s sustainability strategy in June, GemLife Gold Coast is set to benchmark innovative sustainability practices within the sector. Initiatives to be put place range from ensuring all energy on site will come from 100 per cent renewable sources, creating EV-enabled homes and supplying a pool of EV vehicles
for homeowners’ use to providing community vegetable gardens, central composting and planting of communal fruit trees.
GemLife Director & CEO Adrian Puljich said it was GemLife’s goal to have a positive environmental and social impact by taking a proactive approach to sustainability.
“At a fundamental level, it is GemLife’s mission to achieve a net-positive impact on the community and what we create. GemLife Gold Coast will be where we showcase this, taking our sustainability practices and innovations to the next level,” he said.
The sustainability initiatives at GemLife Gold Coast will include:
Renewable energy
All energy used at the resort will be from 100 per cent renewable energy sources with 90 per cent generated and stored on site via a customised virtual power plant solar energy network.
Electric vehicle (EV) enabled
GemLife Gold Coast will be electric vehicle-enabled, with all homes provided with EV charging capability. In addition, the resort will have a pool of EV vehicles to allow homeowners to not only experience driving an EV but to enable them to use the vehicles as a second car, giving them the option to sell their existing car.
Green Star rated country club
The architecturally designed GemLife Gold Coast Country Club will be Green Star rated by the Green Building Council of Australia. Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places.
UDIA EnviroDevelopment rated
EnviroDevelopment is a national rating tool created by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) which provides independent verification of a project’s sustainability performance. It recognises projects that achieve exceptional sustainability outcomes and provides a point of difference in a competitive market. The rigorous certification process is designed to assess project initiatives across six areas; ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water, and community.
Community vegetable garden
A community vegetable garden will offer resident green-thumbs the ideal spot to enjoy some green time while growing fresh organic veggies.
Central composting
To reduce waste naturally, homeowners will be able to make use of a central composting area.
Fruit tree plantings
A variety of fruit trees will be planted for the use and benefit of homeowners.
Honeybee hives
Honeybee hives will be set up on site to increase the bee population.
GemLife’s sustainability strategy is aligned with the relevant United National Sustainable Development Goals.