Development To Suit Environment

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday April 24, 2007

By JOSH HATTON, JACK HOPPE, CHAD O'DONNELL and LUKE TURTON

A NEW housing development nearing completion in Shortland has been designed with the local wetland environment in mind.

Kingfisher Grove is a collection of 42 architect-designed villas situated between the Hunter Wetlands Centre and Tuxford Park.

Christine Prietto, principal of the Wetlands Environmental Education Centre, said the Wetlands Centre was comfortable with the development, because they had been able to work with the developers since the beginning of the project.

"The Wetlands Centre had to sell the land in 2003," Ms Prietto said. "We used an expression of interest process to find the right buyer."

Estate Constructions of Australia were chosen as they were the potential buyer that wanted to build the least number of buildings in the most environmentally friendly way.

Marketing Agent Lynda Fahy of Ray White Newcastle said the designs incorporated energy- and resource-saving technologies.

"This includes the use of appropriate materials and finishes, water harvesting and reuse, solar access principles and the integration of landscaping and stormwater management," Mrs Fahy said.

Ms Prietto said the Wetlands Centre is keen to build good relationships with the new home owners.