Crace, Canberra’s newest green suburb, has become the latest GreenSmart accredited project under the HIA GreenSmart program. The announcement makes Crace the first GreenSmart Residential Community in the ACT and one of only 15 nationally to receive accreditation.

Located just 10 minutes from Canberra’s, Crace is being developed over the next five years as a joint venture between the ACT’s Land Development Agency and Crace Developments Pty Ltd—a consortium led by Canberra Investment Corporation, Defence Housing Australia, CHC Affordable Housing and Tatebrook Pty Ltd.

The suburb has received GreenSmart accreditation for its environmentally sustainable features, including its industry-leading carbon management program.

Through a partnership with Greening Australia, Crace Developments is securing land and re-establishing an area of native woodland that will absorb the equivalent of the emissions resulting from the land development over the next 20 years. The initiative means that not only will carbon offsets be achieved for Crace, but biodiversity will be restored to the landscape through the revegetation process.

The team behind Crace has worked with the HIA from the early planning stages to ensure that its environmentally friendly vision could be achieved. Other environmentally sustainable measures to be implemented at Crace include:

• master planning that optimises the solar orientation of blocks, and homes that are designed with passive solar principles in mind
• urban design that will allow homes to achieve a minimum 5 star energy efficiency rating
• dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths, and positioning of homes to ensure the majority are within 400 metres of a bus route to minimise car use
• a stormwater water management strategy that will enable the suburb to use 40% less water than most Canberra suburbs
• water sensitive urban design features that include bio-retention rain gardens and street tree pits to slow down water runoff
• a network of open spaces that help to retain existing vegetation and waterways.

Crace will also provide a comprehensive response to Canberra’s current housing affordability challenges by ensuring that at least 15 per cent of homes are available within the affordable housing threshold.

You can register your interest in Crace at crace.com.au to receive email updates. The website also includes the latest news, information about buying at Crace and an interactive map of the suburb.

The Crace sales team is also available to answer any questions. Phone 1800 75 18 78 to speak with a representative or visit the sales and information centre at 9 Abena Avenue (off Gundaroo Drive).