GREEN STAR RATING
5 Star Green Star
– Communities v1.1
LOCATION
Ngunnawal
ACT
COMPLETION
estimated 2026
TYPE
Residential
OWNER
Keyton
Builder:
Monarch Building Solutions (AUST)
Civil Contractor:
Cord Civil
ESD consultant:
WSP
Architect:
Demains
Landscape architect:
Haris Hobbs Landscapes
Archaeological and heritage consultant:
Past Traces
Anchored by the cherished and historic Ngunnawal Gold Creek Homestead, this new extension of The Grove designed for over-55’s independent living as well as providing co-located aged care is an example of how heritage, comfort and affordability can be woven together with sustainability.
With more Australians recognising the value of living in not only a sustainable home but a sustainable community, the demand for retirement living options that deliver efficient, resilient and healthy homes is growing.
Designed around people and place, the community pairs high-performing homes with shared amenities, walkable connections and resilient landscapes, aiming to lower running costs for residents and create a strong sense of belonging.
The design proposal by Keyton meant the cherished Gold Creek Homestead buildings and gardens are being re-adapted with the homestead’s stone building redesigned to reflect community preferences for a versatile meeting and exhibition space. This included ensuring that the restored homestead would be surrounded by green open spaces and beautifully landscaped gardens, providing a serene and inviting environment.
“Green Star provided the guidelines and structure to the sustainability strategy we developed, this helped inform priorities in the design and construction of the community,” explained Jason Fitzgerald, Head of Development at Keyton.
Sustainability in action
“For residents this translates to healthier, more comfortable homes and lower running costs, with the bonus of strong social connections and great local amenity,” Fitzgerald said.
High-performance homes
Average 7.5 Star NatHERS (above the 7-Star minimum) for improved comfort and reduced energy use.
On-site renewables
4.4 kW rooftop solar on every new home, plus a 99 kW PV array for the aged care building.
Passive House pilot
One independent living unit built to Passive House standard to generate practical learnings for future projects.
Water-wise design
2 kL rainwater tank per dwelling for irrigation/general watering.
Protecting waterways
A stormwater treatment system with high pollutant removal rates reduces impacts downstream.
Cooler, greener outdoors
Extensive landscaping and light-coloured surfaces to cut heat-island effects.
Climate resilience
Buildings and landscapes planned for more frequent heatwaves, higher rainfall intensity and reduced water availability.
Celebrating place
Adaptive reuse of the homestead reduces materials impacts and keeps the site’s story alive.
Community and connection
Communal amenities, resident groups and activities, a vegetable garden, and walkable access to shops, services and public transport.
Lower construction impacts
High construction-waste recycling across the build.
Lessons learnt
Delivering the ambition required early and consistent alignment.
- Bringing partners on the journey: making sure the civil contractor, builder and operator understood the Green Star ambitions and evidence requirements from the outset.
- Building capability: developing know-how around materials and construction techniques to deliver the Passive House pilot.
- Document early: setting up clear pathways to collect documentation from suppliers and subcontractors to streamline certification.
Fitzgerald’s advice for project teams is to be aligned from the start of the project.
“Be explicit about your Green Star target at the start. This helps streamline decision making and avoids potential redesign at later stages which is both costly and inefficient. And ensure your civil contractor and builder is aware of your Green Star ambitions and credit requirements.”
