The cost of living in a two-bedroom independent living apartment in a retirement village, or two-bedroom house in a land lease community, is far less than living at home.

Operators are making their homes superefficient, and we look at Ingenia Lifestyle  Springside, an Over 50s land lease community, in Beveridge, a town 37km north of Melbourne’s CBD.

The lifestyle resort is Australia’s first land lease community to achieve dual sustainability recognition – a 4 Star Green Star Communities rating and Green Star Homes Design certification.

At time of publication, 40 homes have Green Star Homes As-Built certification, with a further 12 in the process of achieving the certification, making Ingenia Communities the only group developer to have built green star homes at this at scale.

The 52 homes to be built in the Green Star Homes precinct will achieve As Built certification and will provide a range of qualitative and quantitative benefits for residents, including:

Healthier indoor environments through low-toxicity materials and filtered ventilation systems;

  • Better comfort and air quality through airtightness and thermal control;
  • Energy resilience via battery-provisioned homes and clubhouses;
  • Improved resident wellbeing, with access to nature, local food, shared mobility and a strong community fabric;
  • Elevated community pride and awareness through Green Star certification and ongoing education via the Ingenia Lifestyle resident app.

Living in a Green Star Home can reduce your grid energy use by 22% and water use by 48%, saving you approximately $2,066 on annual household bills compared to an original 30-year-old gas home. Plus, it can reduce your carbon footprint by 100% – that’s equal to avoiding four local return car trips a day!

February, The Weekly SOURCE reported 40 homes were complete in Stage 1, with a further 11 homes under construction in Stage 2. 

“The project has provided valuable insights into how sustainability initiatives can be delivered at scale while supporting resident wellbeing, comfort, and energy affordability,” Ingenia Communities said.

“Lessons from the Green Star Homes precinct are informing Ingenia’s broader sustainability approach across future developments. Looking ahead, Ingenia remains committed to exploring and piloting innovative sustainability initiatives where appropriate.”

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom Alpine Green home in Ingenia Lifestyle Springside is for sale from $578,000.

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