Building a sustainable community

National Lifestyle Villages builds sustainable communities

National Lifestyle Villages Green Steps Program

We are the long-term custodians of the land our Villages are located on, and as such, we want to have a positive environmental influence. As such, we are proud to provide an enjoyable and comfortable living environment that retains and attracts local flora and fauna.

What’s more, it’s a smart way to build and saves you money in heating, cooling and water usage.

With this philosophy in mind, since National Lifestyle Villages began, we have implemented a Green Steps Program that includes the following:

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"It’s a smart way to build and saves you money in heating, cooling and water usage"

1Protecting the landscape

We aim to maintain mature trees, which provide natural shade, enrich the soil and protect the habitat of the local wildlife.

2Better water management

We are waterwise, using water economically, with AAA rated outlets. Our Villages are designed to reduce wasteful surface water run-off, making every drop count through ‘groundwater recharge’ methods that return water to the water-table.

Wherever possible, we use non-drinking water and waste-water to water gardens. We use sub-surface reticulation which cuts down on waste through evaporation and sends the water to where it’s really needed – the roots.

Our ground-staff monitor our water use carefully, check water quality and work hard to maximise the efficiency of our water usage.

3Energy management

The homes in our communities are carefully designed to make them more energy efficient, providing extra warmth from the winter sun and natural ventilation in the summer.

High levels of insulation to all roofs and walls mean less need for heaters and air-conditioners, reducing energy use in the homes while concrete flooring to all new homes helps keep hot air out in summer and warm air in during the winter.

Energy-efficient lighting saves energy, and we embrace the use of alternate energy sources such as solar, wind and other renewable natural resources.

4Waste management

In most of our communities we have invested in Asset Recovery Centres (ARC’s). These are provided as a communal place to deposit and reuse everything that is recyclable, including organic waste.

Community-scale composting using worm farms and chickens provides a valuable use for our organic waste. Where possible, non-organic waste is also recycled.

5Carbon emissions management

Greenhouse Gases (GHG) have an impact on climate change and drive global warming. NLV works hard each year to reduce our environmental footprint and minimise the production of GHGs.

Sandria S

Early in the morning on the 26th May, 1946 the lightning & thunder shook the cottage in Dartmouth, Devon, England, the wolves howled & I was born. Mum saw that as some sort of omen which turned out to be true. I was destined to be different. My father even spelled my name incorrectly adding an extra ‘i’ to Sandra. The result was that I can never buy a mug or pen with my name already on.

Having a love/hate relationship with my elder brother resulted in many near death experiences. Once he force fed me some sort of glitter then sprinkled it all over the outside. Poor mum had to present this glittering toddler to the hospital. The first of many visits. Moving to London didn’t change my thirst for adventure & I nearly drowned in the Regents Park canal. I tried to ‘bunk’ into the London Zoo and was caught on a branch & left hanging by my knickers. My aforementioned brother decamped the scene. I had 2 other brothers & a sister who also managed to bring chaos into my life.

Much to everyone’s surprise, not least my teacher I passed the 11+ and progressed to High school. I must have developed my social conscience here because I spent more time standing outside the headmaster’s office than actually learning anything. It was usually for standing up against bullying by classmates or teachers. However some kindred spirits remain friends to this very day.

Lyn and Bob

We were in Wanneroo and we wanted to downsize. We have got a big van and we were looking for a sea change – and my twin daughters are in Bunbury. We did all the research and looked at the Joondalup and Mandurah villages. We looked at putting a park home on caravan parks, but they have not got the security.

Here we can go away and not have to worry. We had alarms in Perth, but you still panic a bit when you go away. It’s the neighbours here that are great and that are always looking out for you. And with a house in other places, for insurance you have to be in it for a number of months of the year, or you have to get a house-sitter. Our house in Perth sold very quickly and it freed up some money, although Bob is still working. We also needed an area for the caravan, which we have got and it is secure.

The village has a nice community feeling. The neighbours are excellent, which isn’t always the case in the suburbs. We have had friends go into the Joondalup village and they couldn’t believe the social life. We have morning teas for the ladies, we are knitting for charity and we have got a bus. The village management here are like family – they really are.