Village Homes Realty
Building Update – March 2022
Home Construction Activity
We now have 60 homes under construction at the Ecovillage including 12 completed homes. Homeowners are moving in and starting to get their gardens and outside living spaces underway. There are 10 different builders active in the development and plenty of trades creating a buzzing hive of activity.
We have a steady stream of design reviews and formal assessments, and there are now more than 20 proposals in the approval stage, including three for newly released Stages 3A and 3B. We continue to see exemplary results for thermal and life cycle designs with some homes achieving in excess of 9 stars NatHERS and -120% LCA. On average, homes in the Ecovillage are achieving NatHERS 8.2 stars. This outcome supports our decision to move the minimum requirement to 8 stars for Stages 3, 4 and 5. We encourage all homeowners to pursue the highest possible sustainability standards in each home design.
Community Sheds
Community Sheds in stages 1-3 have been under construction since October 2021. These cute little Jarrah-clad buildings are now completed in clusters 1A,1B and 1C and they look fantastic! Sheds in Stages 2 and 3 will be completed this month.
Each shed has a kitchenette, toilet facilities and tool storage, and is designed to cater for small meetings, workshops and gardening projects as well as provide a venue for community social gatherings and celebrations.
Public Realm Buildings
Construction of the Community Centre has now commenced with completion scheduled for August 2022.
Design studies for the 10 Tourism lots within the Village Centre have been completed and we are now documenting these dwellings for tender. Within convenient walking distance of the Witchcliffe village and the proposed tavern, Food Hub and other Ecovillage amenity, these properties are an attractive option for those who wish to enjoy the Ecovillage lifestyle for short periods, as well as generate an income. Once a fixed price for the dwelling, rainwater tanks, Tesla Powerwall, landscaping and fencing is established, these properties will be marketed for sale.
We are now also fielding enquiries for the development of lots in the commercial precinct with many opportunities for essential services and other sustainability-driven enterprises emerging. Development controls (Local Development Plans) for the commercial precinct are currently with the Augusta-Margaret River Shire for approval. We’ve created Building Design Guidelines specifically for the Commercial lots to complement and enhance the existing Witchcliffe village and promote sustainable outcomes aligned to the residential elements of the Ecovillage.
