A certification and branding system to help Queensland residents choose ‘greener’ homes has now been released to the market. The tool places Queensland ahead in the move towards more environmentally sustainable standards for residential developments.

Named EnviroDevelopment, the rating tool independently verifies a development’s level of environmental sustainability across six areas – ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.

The first five residential developments to trial the system were presented with formal certification by Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman at the recent launch.

Projects to receive certification include the EcoVillage at Currumbin, Mebbin Springs in Northern NSW, the retirement-focused Redland Bay Leisure Life, Coomera Waters and Pacific Harbour at Bribie Island. At least six other major development projects are waiting to apply.

EnviroDevelopment is designed to educate the public about what constitutes an environmentally outstanding development and the value of investing in a sustainable home or workplace.

Chair of EnviroDevelopment, Brown Consulting’s Managing Director Gary Spence, said “The technical standards used to measure EnviroDevelopment applications have been set by environmental, academic and industry experts and represent the benchmark in current sustainable practices.”

The system was developed by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and is the first of its kind to be applied to residential developments. Part of the UDIA’s long term vision is to negotiate with councils to provide incentives to EnviroDevelopment certified projects, possibly through rebates and the fast-tracking of development applications.