Our Results

Landcom Showcase 

We present here a selection of some of our best work - in the form of partnership with industry, as catalysts for change, in community development, as providers of moderate income housing, in our role as urban designers and much more.

Partners 

Landcom has developed a working formula for implementing projects with the private industry as  well as other State and Local Government agencies. Landcom has developed policies and procedures that clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of both parties. This is to bring together the best each has to offer in terms of skills, knowledge and experience.

Some current and future projects based on this Landcom model include:

  • Shellharbour City Centre, the Illawarra region's premium commercial, civic and entertainment venue - in conjunction with Shellharbour City Council. 
  • Macarthur Regional Centre, part of a 50 year expansion plan for the region - 60 hectares will be developed.
  • A multi-functional Regional Centre at Rouse Hill in Sydney - a billion dollar Regional Centre will meet the expanding needs of Sydney’s north west sector.
  • Victoria Park, Zetland will bring major changes to the South Sydney area. With leading edge urban design and the innovative Water Sensitive Urban Design strategy for treating stormwater.
  • Redevelopment of the Prince Henry Hospital while protecting the location's unique environment and heritage values.
  • An urban planning framework for Discovery Point which will deliver long term environmental benefits for the area, to be developed with Australand.

Caring for the Environment  

We have won recognition for our contribution to addressing the issue of environment improvement - we were awarded the Banksia Environmental Award for 'Government leading by example'. 
   
We have published comprehensive Triple Bottom Line Reports - Towards Sustainability, and have printed these reports annually since October 2003. 
 
We judge ourselves not merely on our financial performance. Our actions, in terms of what we do for the surroundings and the community are as important. That is why we are embarking on a "Triple Bottom Line Program" that measures Landcom's social, environmental and economic contribution. 
 
We have an Environmental Management System in place that provides a framework for setting, managing and monitoring Landcom's environmental objectives. 
  
We avoid sending waste to landfill and aim to reuse and recycle waste materials from building demolitions and construction.  At Victoria Park we were able to reuse and recycle more than 90% of the building demolition waste. 
 
In partnership with a group of builders and with involvement from DEUS (The Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability), Landcom has initiated "Energy Smart Homes" at the Campbellfields Estate in Minto. Homes that reduce greenhouse gas emission by 50% (which is as good as 440 fewer cars on the road each year).  
 
We have built an Energy Efficient Home at Metford in Maitland to showcase how homes can reduce greenhouse gases and still be built at a reasonable cost. This Home has won many awards. 
 
We help Landcom Project Managers and private civil contractors follow best practice in environmental management with a guide specially developed for the purpose. Users learn to comply with requirements, reduce negative impacts and to set high standards. Not surprisingly, the Landcom Environment Management Guide has received kudos from many agencies including the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the Department of Land and Water Conservation and local councils. 

Housing for those on moderate incomes 

In late 2000, Landcom initiated the 'Smart Housing Project' competition to encourage industry to come up with new style housing for people with varying needs and modest earnings.

Today, the competition winner, Cosmopolitan, has created 63 "smart homes" on a 3-hectare site at Parklea, Blacktown. 
 
Meanwhile, Landcom's market research is helping to better understand the demand for such housing and will lead to more such projects aimed at moderate-income households in future. 

Caring for the Community 

The Community Welcome Programme is Landcom's way of helping new residents settle in more easily into their new surroundings. We have been doing this in our communites for several years.

The Community Welcome Programme has been extended to Watanobbi estate in Wyong. With Landcom's help, the Wyong Shire Council is delivering this program.

A Programme has also been introduced at our development at Shellharbour - Woodlands, with the first residents welcomed in 2003.

We also support communities in Landcom estates by sponsoring and organising the set up of the associations and events. Examples are the Glenwood and District Sporting Association and the Tilligerry and Districts Little Athletics Centre. Activities also included Carols by the Metford Baptist Church, the Maitland Annual Spring Garden Festival and a Mothers' Day celebration at the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens.

Involving people 

Landcom's aim is to create better places for people to live and work. This means understanding what people want and providing solutions that meet community expectations as well as Government guidelines. 
 
Community consultation is a must for sound planning and implementation. Our experience and research tells us that if we involve the local community, business, councils and other agencies early in the process and all the way through, the results are better for everyone.

What we hope to achieve from such consultation is:

  • Quality urban design 
  • Implementation of Government development policy 
  • Better communities with improved living conditions 
  • Ready demand for our sites and homes 

We design communities with people in mind 

Landcom works closely with builders to encourage new designs, better layout and construction. This includes improving the look, increasing public safety, ensuring more privacy, making better use of natural and other assets. We make this happen by including design requirements in tender documents, conducting periodic reviews and providing builders with manuals containing specific guidelines.

Hunterford Estate, a joint venture with St Hilliers, is one example where design specifications (included in a manual) were used to shape a total project. Its success has prompted a similar approach at other Landcom estates - in Quakers Hill and the award-winning Newbury at Stanhope Gardens.