Published Thursday, 04 September, 2008 at 09:19 AM

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

MINISTER OPENS SUSTAINABLE HOME DOONELLA NOOSA

Public Works and Housing Minister Robert Schwarten has officially opened the latest demonstration home in Queensland’s Smart and Sustainable Homes Program on the Sunshine Coast today.

Mr Schwarten said Sustainable Home Doonella Noosa at Lake Doonella met the three principles of smart housing – social, economic and environmental sustainability.

“One of the many outstanding features of this home is that it has been designed to cater for a family through all life cycles and circumstances, with particular emphasis on people with diverse abilities,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The design outcomes of this house demonstrate the many social elements involved in sustainable living, such as comfort, flexibility, safety and security.

“All of this has been achieved in the context of building a stylish and attractive home.”

Mr Schwarten said the Smart and Sustainable Homes Program aimed to educate the public about sustainable housing.

“I am delighted that Stockland will use this house as a centre for sustainable education on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

Sustainable Home Doonella Noosa was developed by Stockland in partnership with designer Planit Architecture and Management and builder Ausmar. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council supported the project.

“The Smart and Sustainable Homes Program is a unique collaboration between the State Government, local government and industry,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The cooperation and enthusiasm of everybody involved in this project has demonstrated the willingness of private enterprise and local government to join with the State Government in its quest to encourage greater sustainability in Queensland housing.”

Homes built under the Smart and Sustainable Homes Program follow the Department of Public Works’ Smart and Sustainable Homes principles, which are based on the triple bottom line concept of economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Mr Schwarten also used the Doonella Noosa opening to launch revised Smart and Sustainable Homes Design Objectives.

“The design objectives were developed in 2004 and since then, through consultation with the industry and community, the Department of Public Works has been able to refine and revise the document,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The Design Objectives are a vital element in the Smart and Sustainable Homes Program and can be applied to any new housing or renovation project.

“They are available on the smart housing website for anyone to access and I encourage the people of Queensland to utilise this tool,” he said.

The smart housing website address is www.smarthousing.qld.gov.au

Sustainable Home Doonella Noosa, located at Cnr Jacksonia Place and Morina Circuit, Lake Doonella, will be open to the public from Saturday, 6 September.

Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832