Sustainable development at Harvest Lakes

“Sustainable neighbourhoods” are aggressively marketed in Perth’s suburbs but do they live up to claims or are the real estate pages drowning in greenwash? I asked LandCorp for a guided tour of one of their prized developments to see for myself.

Harvest Lakes was a trendsetter when it was first conceived 9 years on the Eastern fringe of Perth adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway. The site of the 160 hectare development was about 113 hectares of degraded dairy farm, of which only the roof of the shed could be salvaged; the rest was bush and wetland badly in need of re-generation.

Wherever possible the natural features of the land have been preserved and enhanced, including mature trees, and the two neglected wetlands that have been restored as public amenities and habitat for wild fowl and local fauna. Approximately a quarter of the development is classified as Bush Forever, which is being re-vegetated and will ultimately include walking trails and interpretative signage.

The development has been designed for maximum water catchment, which is treated and used to replenish the lake and the underground aquifer, and to water the active and passive green spaces. That’s critical because it abuts the Jandakot water mound, source of Perth’s drinking water.

At the centre of the development is a community centre (which includes an environmental interpretive centre) and a school.  The north side the centre has a trombe wall, which heats up during the day in winter and cools gradually during the night, giving off its heat inside the building. In summer the bricks are shaded by the eaves. This is a passive energy feature you seldom find even now. The centre has rainwater tanks and a grey water recycling system. We’re told that efforts to extend grey water for home use are stymied by the health department.

Mixed lot sizes and building densities offer choice and foster the diversity of the Harvest Lakes community.  In the smaller “cottage lots” all the garages open on to a laneway behind the houses.  Solar hot water systems are mandatory, and solar powered lights are used in the parks. 75% of all lots are oriented to maximise the benefits of solar passive design. Cross ventilation, eaves, water wise gardens and rain water tanks are encouraged; black rooves and Tuscan designs are not.

A shopping centre is being built in the south eastern corner of the site, adjacent to the proposed Success railway station on the Mandurah rail line.

Landcorp has worked effectively with a number of partners, including the Sustainable Energy Development Office, the Water Corporation and Greensmart on the sustainability initiatives incorporated into the Harvest Lakes Development.

Giving full credit for what has been achieved, and acknowledging that this development endeavoured to incorporate a number of sustainability principles into the development and building design, much remains to be done in future projects.

Although bike paths and walking trails traverse Harvest Lakes, it remains entirely car dependent and it is not possible to buy a cup of coffee or a loaf of bread without a 10 minute car ride. Even once the shopping centre is complete, most of the houses will not be within walking distance. Apart from the school and community centre there is no mixed use, and on a beautiful autumn morning there were far more cars in evidence than people.

Still, Harvest Lakes has put sustainable development on the map and establishes a number of principles that many other developers would do well to emulate.