Landcom Unveils Gas-Free Community Plan

New South Wales' state-owned corporation Landcom will target a carbon neutral community in its first stage of the North Wilton precinct.

The 30-year project to deliver a gas-free community of 5600 new homes will provide a proof of concept for renewable energy-powered communities.

Speaking at the Green Building Council Australia's Transform conference in Sydney, Landcom executive general manager of communications and policy Anna Petersen said the project would provide feedback to the NSW government on future policy. 

“Last year we put a call out to industry and academics to pitch ideas on how we can achieve 100 per cent electric renewable precincts,” Petersen said. 

“We’re now putting together a hybrid solution to look to demonstrate that in the first stage of [North Wilton].

“Then once proven [we will] advise back to government on what levers are needed to be pushed.”

A development application for the first stage of North Wilton is due to be lodged this year. The state-owned developer came under fire last year after it was revealed that it paid $100 million more than the 900ha site was valued just 12 months earlier. 

Petersen said Landcom was focused on tackling housing affordability, supply and diversity, and creating “sustainable futures” with 10 per cent of the development slated for affordable housing. 

“There is a real opportunity for industry to demonstrate to government and community how we’re going to achieve net zero in our homes and communities and to take a leadership role in collaborative research and demonstration of what might be possible,” Petersen said.

“We can then advise government on policy settings that might need to change or whether there needs to be more investment.”

The electrified community is due to be delivered over 10 stages by 2045, and is targeting a 6 Star Green Star Community certification for the 15,000 residents who will move to the region. 

EY managing partner Selina Short said state-owned corporations were in a unique position in their ability to take on innovative projects and demonstrate their feasibility.

“Affordability and sustainability are not always the easiest things to put together,” she said.

“Landcom is well placed to take on these projects and take those learnings and share them and get that skill.”

Landcom has entered a deal with Link Wentworth to deliver 94 units in North Ryde with 10 units earmarked as shared equity, which Landcom chief executive said would be groundbreaking in the Australian market. 

“We’ve entered a deal with Link Wentworth to provide 100 units of which 10 will be shared equity,” he said.

“Shared equity hasn’t got to the level it has [internationally]. We don’t know if Australian’s will be comfortable with 50 per cent of 75 per cent ownership, and whether banks will lend for it.

Brogden said it was disappointing that Sydney was one of the least affordable cities in the world and organisations like Landcom needed to “look at innovative schemes like shared equity” to tackle housing affordability.