Gracetown

A benchmark coastal sustainability project, Gracetown is in the heart of Western Australia’s South West Region.

The 140-lot residential subdivision will incorporate a self-sufficient, sustainable water supply and wastewater treatment plant and renewable energy sources. The water reclamation plant will be operated by a private company - a first for Australia.

All developments will be powered by solar panels, green power and/or wind turbines and designed to meet a minimum five-star energy rating to significantly reduce energy consumption.

Client
LandCorp – the Western Australian Government’s specialist land development agency, working with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the Gracetown Residents Association.

Scope of Work
Holistic and strategic management of a complex, cutting edge project that requires specific expertise in engineering, waste-water treatment, sustainability, urban design and planning.

Challenges
This project required significant input into the vision and the development concept from the local community guided by the Gracetown Development Investigation Reference Group (GDIRG).

Benchmark Projects utilised its extensive experience in sustainable development, planning and public consultation to facilitate the consultation process and deliver a final vision that is not only innovative, but achievable.

Innovations and Solutions
An array of sustainable initatives including:

• a self-contained waste water treatment plant to treat and recycle all black and grey water to supply non-drinking water supply


• full reticulated sewer, recycled water and power both for the new and existing dwellings


• rain water tanks on all new developments for drinking water supply


• photovoltaic panels on all new development to supplement power supply


• solar power gas-boosted water heating on all new developments


• an integrated fire hydrant network and upgraded internet and mobile phone services for the new and existing development areas


• an integrated traffic management plan for the Gracetown settlement.

Outcomes
Gracetown will deliver a range exciting sustainable outcomes including a reduction of greenhouse gas outputs by 94% for new developments compared with the traditional developments model; reduction of water consumption per dwelling by 50% for new developments; and a reduction of domestic waste going to landfill by 75% for new developments.