AUSTRALIA — GemLife, a leading national over-50s lifestyle resort developer, has made history by securing a 5-star Green Star — Communities certification for its $340 million Moreton Bay development.
This achievement marks the first time an Australian land lease community has received this prestigious recognition.
The Green Building Council of Australia‘s internationally recognised rating system benchmarks master-planned communities for sustainability and livability.
GemLife’s Moreton Bay project, located adjacent to the Deception Bay Conservation Park, showcases the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Key features of the development include:
- Nearly 150-hectare site with over 60 per cent dedicated to native revegetation and koala habitat protection
- Virtual Power Plant (VPP) renewable energy solution
- Fully electric homes
- Green spaces promoting biodiversity
Adrian Puljich, GemLife Director and CEO, emphasised the project’s dual focus on environmental and financial sustainability.
“We’re going above and beyond to provide meaningful impacts both financially and in terms of social responsibility,” he stated.
The development’s VPP program aims to achieve almost 80 per cent onsite renewable energy and storage through rooftop solar and community batteries.
This initiative is expected to shield residents from rising electricity costs, offering bill consistency for over-50s homeowners, many of whom are on fixed incomes.
Jorge Chapa, GBCA Chief Impact Officer, praised GemLife’s commitment to creating a fossil fuel-free community.
“This project shows the positive, lasting impacts that can be achieved when sustainability is placed at the heart of community development,” Chapa remarked.
Upon completion, GemLife Moreton Bay will feature:
- 553 homes, each with no rear neighbours
- Seven private lakes
- Wildlife-rich wetlands
- Conservation area trails
- Extensive parklands
The entire community is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2027.
This groundbreaking achievement not only sets a new benchmark for sustainable living in the over-50s sector but also demonstrates the potential for environmentally conscious development in Australia’s growing land lease community market.