Meet Squirtle our Turtle!

On Thursday 6th December the Victorian Sustainability Learning Centre (VSLC) based at Mernda Villages launched within the local community. The VSLC is designed to share our learning on sustainability with the development industry, our suppliers and the community.

The day was a huge success with a class from Mernda Primary School, members from Whittlesea Council, Waterwatch Victoria and representatives from Stockland in attendance.

The first tour kicked off showcasing how Stockland is leading the way in building communities that are sustainable by world class standards.

Come and check out the VSLC for yourself and say hello to Rosie Downey, our fantastic VSLC Coordinator and Squirtle our resident turtle.

For more information contact Rosie on 9717 5074 or via email at rosie.downey@stockland.com.au

Mernda Villages Awarded HIA GreenSmart Estate Accreditation

HIA formally presented HIA GreenSmart® Estate certificates to Stockland’s VIC State Design Manager, Nick Drougas, for the Mernda Villages project at the recent HIA Home Ideas Show. Mernda Villages was built and designed to HIA GreenSmart principles and showcases the latest in sustainable design.

2007 Finalist Greensmart Estate of the Year

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Mernda Villages - 2006 Victorian UDIA Award Winner

Recently the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) awarded Mernda Villages the following prestigious awards:

Winner - Water Sensitive Urban Design
"Mernda Villages is their most adventurous and impressive approach to water sensitive urban design so far. While much of the development is still to come, many of its water sensitive innovations are in place, having been planned and installed in readiness".

Winner - Landscape Award Winner
So impressed were the judges by Mernda Villages that, unprompted, the judges immediately chose it for the 2006 Landscape Award. The development, fully complies with the City of Whittlesea's policies about the preservation of native gums.

Finalist 2007 UDIA Awards for Excellence - Residential Development

The UDIA also presented Mernda Villages with a Consultants Award to reward the hard work of both Stockland as well as all the consultants used to make Mernda Villages the award winning project that it is today.

Innovative Water Storage

Stockland's latest innovation in water saving is demonstrated at Mernda Villages. The wetland contains a unique and innovative Aquifer Storage and Recovery System (ASR), which will store excess water in the wet months that can then be used in summer to water the beautiful parks and gardens.

Read more in the ASR fact sheet

Leading The Way In Sustainability

Just one of the environmentally sustainable features at Mernda Villages is the inclusion of around 40 rain gardens found around the street edges.

The rain gardens capture stormwater run-off from the roads and filter it before it enters the wetlands where it is filtered again. The water is then clean enough to be used to irrigate Mernda Villages' parks and gardens to keep them looking lush and green throughout the summer months.

The rain gardens are innovative ways to naturally treat stormwater and also help to create beautiful spaces for Mernda Villages residents to enjoy.