Monday 22 May 2006
Rarely does the relentless push for more housing complement the
desire to preserve native flora and fauna, and all too often
progress for man results in degradation of the environment.
An exception is the environmentally-sensitive residential estate
at Logan called 'The Reserve', which harmoniously integrates the
conveniences of modern living into a large-scale nature
reserve.
Devine worked closely with urban planners from Logan City
Council to achieve the successful interaction, embracing leading
environmental techniques to encourage a proliferation of wildlife
on the estate and provide residents with an active lifestyle.
Situated between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, 'The Reserve'
contains landscaped gardens, parklands, children's playgrounds,
passive recreational areas, ponds, walkways and cycleways.
Great care was taken to maintain a habitat for koalas and many
other species of native wildlife, with Devine reinstating 15ha of
parkland, primarily for conservation, by planting more than 35,000
native trees and shrubs.
Within the conservation park Devine has created 2.5ha of
wetlands, including some 20,000 specialist plants, providing a
sanctuary for native birds and controlling stormwater quality
before it runs into a tributary of the Logan River. The wetland is
also designed with multiple open water depths to support a range of
fish species.
A lookout and play area has been built for residents, offering a
tranquil oasis with panoramic views over the wetland and the
rehabilitation area.
Established native trees were retained on the estate, and
infrastructure and home lots designed around them. Blocks at 'The
Reserve' average a sizeable 550 square metres, all services are
carried underground, there are no front fences, and homes have to
be set back a minimum distance from the roadway.
Devine is passionate about protecting the environment for the
community, and has created several such eco-friendly estates
throughout Australia. Its Sunnybank Grove Community in Brisbane's
south includes many water saving initiatives to capture and recycle
100% of the stormwater run off, and has been used by the Queensland
Government as a model for sustainable housing.
The Queensland Minister for Environment, Planning and Local
Government Desley Boyle even encouraged other developers to "follow
the standards set by Devine at Sunnybank."
Devine acknowledges that it is a large financial undertaking to
implement eco-friendly features, yet it is staying committed to
responsible enviro-development.
"My industry has particular responsibility to do whatever it can
to minimise our impact on nature and conserve energy and natural
resources," said Managing Director, David Devine, who founded the
company in 1981.
Buyers are coming to appreciate the benefits of eco-friendly
estates, which is underlined by the overwhelming success of 'The
Reserve', where all 206 lots sold quickly.
"Most people have been drawn to 'The Reserve' because it is
peaceful, safe, secure and in touch with nature," said Paul Nash,
national manager of Devine's house-and-land division.
"The estate maintains the integrity of a human-scale
neighbourhood, which encourages residents to stroll around and mix
with their neighbours. Residents have developed a community spirit,
friendships are flourishing, and many families have enrolled their
children at nearby schools."
While the majority of purchasers have come from Brisbane and the
surrounding areas, some residents have moved to 'The Reserve' from
as far afield as Sydney and Melbourne.
Devine has nine residential communities under construction in
South-East Queensland, with details on www.devine.com.au.
Released by: Devine, 3 Westmoreland Blvd, Springwood, Queensland
4127
Contacts: Paul Nash, National Housing & Land, on (07) 3380
2546, (0439) 730 424
Bruce Graham, Development Manager, on (07) 3380 2571
Prepared by: Barry Hyland, PR Plus, Level 1, 272 Pacific
Highway, Crows Nest 2065;
Ph: (02) 9439 9191, (0412) 354 992; Email: pluspr@ozemail.com.au