Case Studies
Lochiel Park Green Village

Design Feature

Type of project
Infrastructure
State
South Australia
Location
Urban
The Lochiel Park Green Village, with over 100 dwellings and home to around 150 residents, was developed as a practical demonstration of planned sustainable living set within natural parklands. This development highlights best practice environmental design principles, which can be applied in improving health and wellbeing outcomes. The development is eight kilometres from the Adelaide Central Business District, adjacent to the River Torrens Linear Park. It is a valued part of the City of Campbelltown Local Government Area.
Planned sustainable living
From its inception in 2004, the project sought to improve the connections between the natural and built environment and to partner with community to develop accessible, affordable, safe and vibrant places for living and recreation.
Considerations for the development spanned environmental sustainability, infrastructure and transport. Objectives therefore included:
  • Development of a ‘model’ green village
  • Production of high-quality medium-density housing with a range of types and affordable solutions
  • Providing high residential amenity
  • Enhancing the biodiversity of adjacent open space
  • Facilitating active and passive recreation in well-planned open space and
  • Links to surrounding land uses with design techniques and pedestrian/cycle trails for active transport.
  • Development of a ‘model’ green village
  • Production of high-quality medium-density housing with a range of types and affordable solutions
  • Providing high residential amenity
  • Enhancing the biodiversity of adjacent open space
  • Facilitating active and passive recreation in well-planned open space and
  • Links to surrounding land uses with design techniques and pedestrian/cycle trails for active transport.

Master planning incorporated sustainability principles, resource conservation and innovative housing products. Clear guidelines and tools were provided to builders in order to meet design and performance requirements, including consideration of an attractive streetscape.
Energy performance and water use standards include a minimum 7.5-star energy efficiency rating, and use of solar photovoltaic cells, gas-boosted solar hot water, high thermal performance window options including double glazing, rainwater harvesting, water efficient appliances and fittings. Guidelines provided for use of materials low in embodied emissions.
The siting and orientation of allotments optimises natural light and access to open space. This medium density housing, in conjunction with high quality public open space and walkable neighbourhoods, sought to encourage use of local facilities and promote recreational and incidental physical activity. Set over 15-hectares, the development includes over 10-hectares of open space, including wetlands and urban forest.
Recreation and physical activity opportunities are supported by facilities such as a playground, fitness trail, oval, basketball court and barbeque area. Bicycle and footpath links can be used to access the Klemzig Interchange O-bahn (rapid transit busway) for commuting to the city. Alternatively, a bikeway extends to the city. Cycling facilities, lighting and improvement of linkages to public transport were all considered in the project.

Facilities such as a community garden help to facilitate greater social interaction and an enhanced sense of belonging. Recycled water is used for parklands irrigation; the perception of greenness can further encourage residents to be physically active.

During the early establishment of the development, a Sustainability Centre was used to showcase eco-friendly building and living to thousands of visitors. Community development and education are sustained through groups such as Friends of Lochiel Park and Ripples Community Arts, which has completed mosaics on bio-retention pits across the development.
Project team
  • Renewal SA
  • Research partnership with UniSA
  • CRC For Low Carbon Living
  • Charterhouse by Hickinbotham Homes
  • Rossdale Homes

Project cost
$21 Million Renewal SA investment. 
Health value
  • Thermal comfort including through use of double glazing, insulation, ceiling fans and cross flow ventilation for natural airflow. Thermal comfort is known to be associated with improved physical and emotional wellbeing, and is valued by Lochiel Park householders.
  • Noise attenuation measures in design where affected by the O-bahn including additional insulation and double glazing.
  • The parkland areas provide for active and passive recreation.
  • High quality streetscapes with shade and atmosphere encourage walkability.
  • Active transport and public transport options were recognised as important environmental and health considerations for a model sustainable development.

Economic value
  • Low carbon living has implications for occupiers, business and government. Reduction in energy use provides a financial benefit for residents and also has the potential to reduce peak energy demand. Energy efficient housing is also valued in the housing market upon resale.
  • Use and evaluation of new technologies, as at Lochiel Park, will lead to reduction in their cost as industry develops and adapts.

Environmental value
  • There was active monitoring of household energy and water use performance until 2018, evaluating the real-world implementation of low carbon living.
  • Harvested storm water is cleaned through the wetlands and retained through aquifer storage and recharge. This is utilised in a variety of ways, including via a third pipe system for toilet flushing, domestic washing machines and garden use as well as parkland irrigation.
  • In the future, the urban forest can be used to offset carbon emissions.
  • Public realm construction has utilised recycled materials including aggregate in concrete and old timber wharf piles and materials with low embodied energy.
  • Wetlands and other water sensitive urban design features provide natural amenity for residents’ enjoyment as well as environmental benefits.
  • Over 200,000 local species have been planted through the development.
  • Open space in the development is protected by legislation, with over 10-hectares incorporated as the Lochiel Park Parklands, linking directly to the River Torrens Linear Park.

Social value
  • The development includes social housing and low income housing, and exceeds the state’s 15% affordable housing target.
  • Design is socially as well as environmentally sustainable, with a high-quality public realm and communal facilities that encourage an active and supportive community spirit.
  • Street and park lighting, including a mix of solar and high energy efficiency technology, improve safety and encourage uses at different times of day.
  • A community garden provides fresh local produce alongside opportunities to be physically active, to learn about sustainability principles and to make social connections.
  • A sense of place and heritage is fostered through artworks, an Aboriginal food garden, and a Walking and Discovery Trail map including heritage listed Lochend House.
  • The built form is designed to contribute to the character and sense of place, using accent colours and a diversity of materials.
  • Development utilised Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles including dwellings designed to overlook streets or parks for casual surveillance.

Use value
  • This development incorporates a broad range of housing types and allotment sizes, including private homes and Housing SA (public housing) apartments and townhouses.
  • The Lochiel Park development has received multiple awards. It has fostered close relationships between industry, universities and experts which acts to showcase urban development locally and nationally.
  • Awards include UDIA national award for environmental excellence, PIA national award for planning excellence in urban design, National Housing Industry Association GreenSmart award for Community Development and Resource Efficiency 2010, Australasian Housing Institute Award for professional excellence. This was South Australia’s first development to meet the six sustainability criteria for accreditation with UDIA as an “EnviroDevelopment”.

Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.

I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.



Share by: