GREEN STAR RATING
6 Star Green Star
– Communities v1.1
LOCATION
Queensland
Yugambeh country
COMPLETION
2026
TYPE
Residential and commercial
In 2023, the ambitious sustainability vision for Lewis Land’s latest mixed-use residential development was achieved with their master-planned community – Harbour Shores. Located on the Gold Coast Australia, Harbour Shores is Lewis Land’s first fossil-fuel free, resort-style residential community and it holds a 6 Star Green Star Communities v1.1 rating. In a resounding commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability, the community signifies world leadership, the highest possible accreditation.
Utilising dsquared Consulting for the planning and design process to maximise sustainability outcomes, Lewis Land has ensured the project is built to stand the test of time for generations to come, underscoring a growing trend where developers prioritise not only aesthetics but also environmental responsibility.
As Head of Development, Michael Long from Lewis Land explained, pursuing a Green Star rating for Harbour Shores put them on the right path to deliver on their commitment to create resilient assets that support positive social, financial and environmental outcomes.
“Lewis Land has always been committed to a sustainable future. We are charting a roadmap to measure, reduce and eliminate negative environmental impacts.”
“The Green Star certification framework provided a comprehensive roadmap for integrating sustainability across all aspects of Harbour Shores – from planning and design to construction and long-term operations. It also established accountability through its requirement for evidence submissions every five years, ensuring ongoing performance beyond initial construction. All for the benefit of the residents of the Harbour Shores community” Long said.
Standout sustainable features of Harbour Shores
100% electric infrastructure, eliminating natural gas and reducing emissions by an estimated 1,602,808 kg CO2-e annually
1,000 kW of solar photovoltaic capacity generating over 1,642,500 kWh annually, reducing grid reliance by 34% during peak periods
Fast roadside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and every unit having access to install EV chargers.
Advanced water management with underground tanks capturing over 1,800 kL of rainwater for irrigation
High-performance building envelopes with superior insulation, glazing, and reflective roofing that significantly reduce energy demands for heating and cooling
Over 80% of construction waste diverted from landfill through recycling or reuse
Low-emission concrete and environmentally preferable materials, including steel sourced from certified sustainable suppliers
Extensive landscaping with over 100,000 native plants, enhancing biodiversity and reducing the heat island effect
Comprehensive active transport infrastructure promoting walkability and cycling
54% of the site dedicated to open space and landscaping, including a one-hectare feature park for not only residents, but also for the wider community to enjoy
Harbour Shores was awarded the prestigious Gold at the 2025 BETTER FUTURE Sydney Design Awards
Fossil fuel free living at Harbour Shores
Lewis Land designed Harbour Shores to be fossil-fuel free, with its infrastructure powered by renewable energy, including from its 1,000kW solar PV system. It is predicted the project will achieve a 34% reduction in peak electricity consumption compared to a contemporary reference development. This will help reduce community wide loads during peak times, such as mornings and evenings, when residents are at home and using appliances.
A typical development of this scale would use 14,762,367 MJ of natural gas, so eliminating this entirely is an impressive feat with a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This means residents will avoid pollutants from cooking or heating and experience the health benefits of high quality, clean air.
Remarkably, building a fossil fuel free system had no significant sizing impacts on the electrical substations. The variable timing of when people use hot water and induction cooktops means electrical infrastructure modelling isn’t impacted in any significant way,” said Paul Davy, Director at dsquared Consulting.
There were a few reasons for implementing fossil fuel free infrastructure, at the top of the list was responsibility to the environment.
“Firstly, as a waterfront development, we recognised our responsibility to protect the marine ecosystem that makes our location so special. Eliminating fossil fuels significantly reduces our carbon footprint and also helps mitigate climate change impacts. Secondly, we wanted Harbour Shores to represent the future of sustainable living. By pioneering fossil fuel-free development, we’re demonstrating that projects of our size can thrive without compromising environmental values,” explained Michael Long.
This decision sparked significant conversations across all project phases. During design and construction, it required early-stage interventions and education for contractors, including a bespoke video to ensure understanding of the project’s sustainability objectives. For the sales and marketing team, it created an opportunity to differentiate Harbour Shores in the market and educate potential buyers about the long-term cost savings, health benefits of improved indoor air quality, and environmental advantages of all-electric homes.
The business case for future-proof assets
Project teams often face the common narrative that it’s “too expensive” to build efficient, resilient and sustainable homes. For Lewis Land, this was addressed by taking a long-term, lifecycle approach to sustainability.
“While upfront costs for some high-performance materials and all-electric infrastructure were higher, we identified that these investments would deliver substantial returns through reduced operational costs, enhanced market value, and future-proofed assets,” said Michael Long.
The project team prioritised options that balanced environmental performance with financial viability. For instance, some buildings will enable higher upfront investments in energy-efficient design and materials, which will attract a ‘green premium’ in pricing while reducing ongoing operational costs. This helps to address the “split incentive” challenge where developers traditionally invest less in energy efficiency because homeowners primarily reap such benefits. Our approach recognised that creating long-term value for residents ultimately enhances market appeal and sales.
Our marketing approach emphasised the long-term cost savings and health benefits of sustainable homes, resulting in over 60% of enquiries noting sustainability as a key attraction to Harbour Shores,” Long noted.
Integrating nature and supporting local biodiversity
Integrating nature and supporting biodiversity was imperative to the Harbour Shores vision. All Lewis Land communities and assets embrace the natural environment, with a strong heritage and connection to the sky, water and landscape.
“We’re always exploring the way nature impacts our customers and the way it helps to energise or relax and create spaces that are truly unique, that’s why we dedicated over 54% of the site to open space and landscaping.
Our 1.2km sustainable timber boardwalk was carefully designed to provide community access while protecting the waterway ecosystem,” said Michael Long.
Throughout the community over 200,000 plants will be added, with the majority being native species to further support local birds, insects and small fauna. This extensive landscaping also serves as green infrastructure, reducing the urban heat island effect and creating comfortable living spaces for residents. The team also decided to incorporate a 1-hectare public park for not only the residents but the surrounding community to enjoy.
Words of advice
- Start early and integrate sustainability into your project vision from the beginning rather than treating it as an add-on.
- Assemble a multidisciplinary team with sustainability expertise and engage a specialist consultant like dsquared to navigate the certification process.
- Engage stakeholders throughout the process, from designers and contractors to potential buyers, to ensure alignment and build enthusiasm for sustainability goals.
- Document everything as you go – the certification process requires extensive evidence.
- Be prepared to challenge conventional industry practices, such as the use of natural gas, when they conflict with long-term sustainability goals.
- Create mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and optimisation to ensure the project continues to meet performance targets over time.
- Green Star certification is a rigorous process, but it provides a valuable framework for creating truly sustainable communities with lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits.
