Construction is now underway on the highly anticipated $350 million master-planned community, The Fabric, in Altona North, Victoria.
Approximately 1,000 new jobs are anticipated to be created as part of Stage 1 construction, with Mirvac being the first developer to market its future-ready townhouse product at the Hobsons Bay City Council’s 67-hectare Altona North Strategic Site, Precinct 15.
Bound by Blackshaws Road and Kyle Road in Altona North, and New Street and the West Gate Freeway in South Kingsville, the rezoned site is being transformed from its former industrial uses into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood.
Mirvac is taking its approach to environmentally sustainable design and ‘future-ready’ housing significantly further at The Fabric, with its ambitious target to implement fully electric, net-zero energy townhomes while achieving a minimum seven-star NatHERS energy rating for every townhome on the 11.5-hectare site at 188-198 Blackshaws Road.
In collaboration with sustainability experts, Mirvac has developed its ground-breaking approach to achieve this target, while simultaneously adapting its residential design strategy to be conducive with a post-COVID-19 lifestyle.
This collaboration will be further enhanced by its partnerships with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Mirvac Head of Residential, Stuart Penklis, said implementing fully electric homes across the entire masterplan of The Fabric reinforces Mirvac’s This Changes Everything sustainability strategy, which makes sustainability a central part of the company’s long-term focus to be net positive on energy and water by 2030.
“Mirvac understands that home efficiency is more important than ever to home-owners and we are passionate about our contribution through reimagining urban life sustainably. We have a long-term goal to improve our residents’ lifestyle, through reducing their energy bills and environmental impact,” he said.
The Fabric’s seven-star NatHERS energy rated homes are designed to use 28 per cent less energy for heating and cooling than a standard six-star rated home.
With the additional inclusions of energy-efficient appliances and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, the homes are estimated to deliver household savings of up to $2,400 per annum* on energy bills.
Powered by renewable energy, all townhomes throughout The Fabric masterplan will also exceed typical home specifications with market-leading inclusions, such as smart-home energy monitoring, high performing lighting, heat-pump hot water systems, fully electric appliances, and provision for an electric vehicle charger.
Upon completion, The Fabric will be home to approximately 1,500 residents across more than 500 two, three and four-bedroom townhomes and future mid-rise apartments, along with a 4,000-square-metre Patchwork Park at its centre.
With lush private front and rear gardens designed by the award-winning Eckersley Garden Architecture, The Fabric’s masterplan focuses on creating green, landscaped public and private garden spaces set within a dynamic, family-friendly urban village.
Bulk earthworks are proceeding in preparation for the civil works commencement on Stage 1’s The Boulevard neighbourhood. Construction is forecast to take between 18 to 24 months, with residents anticipated to move into their new homes from early to mid-2022.
*This annual household cost-saving is an estimate, based on Mirvac comparisons of Net Zero Energy Homes’ energy-efficient appliances and equipment with standard appliances and equipment.