Windarra Recognised by UDIA for Excellence in Environmentally Sustainable Development
(L-R) Mark Bowden, Graham Tamblyn (Cardno)
Windarra, created by Mark Bowden Developments, has been awarded the Excellence in Environmentally Sustainable Development (Land Based) award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia's Queensland Excellence Awards ceremony.
Located at Bunya, just 14 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD and set among 100 acres of bushland, Windarra will be the last development of its kind in the region.
Developer Mark Bowden said the award recognised the superior environmental management and innovative planning approach of the development.
"Together with environmental consultants Orogen and property consultants THG we were able to preserve and strengthen one of Windarra's most important assets – its unique landscape and environment," Mr Bowden said.
"It's not often that a development can deliver substantial gains of around 30% of both 'of concern' and 'remnant' vegetation. Through reducing the need for clearing and undertaking considerable regeneration, our team has created a community where vegetation can thrive and expand.
"The installation of two $1M bebo arch bridges in preference to culverts throughout the property in order to avoid disruption of the natural flow of the waterways and maintain connectivity for native fauna further demonstrated our commitment to environmental best practice.
"Windarra is a prime example of how developers can take on board environmental concerns and encourage the growth of environmental benefits within developments not only at the outset but over time," Mr Bowden said.
Mark Bowden's vision for an environmentally sound development extended beyond placing a premium on environmental management, with planning and urban design also playing a significant role in delivering not only superior outcomes for flora and fauna on the site, but also a higher yield for the development. Planning and Urban Design consultants THG were engaged by the development team to achieve a unique and innovative planning outcome that saw the overarching planning scheme changed from 'park residential' to 'special residential'.
"This meant our team was able to create a community with a variety of lot sizes that have town water, some smaller than the traditional minimum of 4,000 sqm," said Mr Bowden.
"The result was a visually interesting development offering a range of price points to the market which in turn contributed to the commercial success of the project, with 90% of the first stage of 58 lots sold in just two months, with significant registrations already for the final Stage 2.
"This innovative planning approach saw us deliver 50% of the project site back to council in the form of community parklands and ensured every lot adjoined or overlooked the 100 acres of parkland, representing a win-win scenario for all stakeholders," he said.
Windarra's win at the UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence follows its recognition for design excellence in planning by being awarded the Queensland Spatial Excellence Award for Land Development and Planning.
"To be recognised by such a prestigious organisation as the UDIA is a great honour and places Windarra among some of the most highly regarded developments in the state and sets a new standard for all developments throughout Australia.
"We look forward to doing Queensland proud at the National Awards later this year," he said.