Setting a new sustainability standard in housing

For more than two decades, Landcom has pushed itself and industry partners to embed sustainability and innovation into every project.

As the New South Wales Government's developer, we have a unique opportunity to support the Government's goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 while driving industry changes to build a more sustainable future.

Our core mission of making a positive difference to the people of NSW guides Landcom through pioneering new technologies and seeking new approaches in the way we build our communities.

At the housing community Panorama at North Wilton in Sydney's south-west, we are implementing world-leading sustainability standards, not only during construction but also to support future residents to thrive over time. 

Panorama is our first community to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating, independently certified by the Green Building Council of Australia as world-leading. 

Sustainability is at the heart of this development from the supply chain through to the longevity and maintenance of essential infrastructure.  

In March, we broke new ground on the Panorama Net Zero Demonstration Home, in partnership with home builder McDonald Jones Homes. A state-of-the-art display home featuring leading renewable energy technology, sustainable construction methods, resilient building materials and the use of recycled metals and materials.

Features include:

• Solar panels, a 10kW battery, an EV charger and energy-efficient appliances;
• Built with recycled and low carbon materials including for the concrete slab, benchtops, tiles, lighting and tapware; and
• Climate resilient features including permeable pavements and weather-resistant designs. 

Net zero operational homes are designed to produce enough renewable energy to offset the annual carbon emissions of their estimated energy use.

Similar homes already exist, but are often high-end products out of reach for the average homeowner.  

The Net Zero Demonstration Home aims to make net zero living accessible to all. Landcom's partnership with McDonald Jones Homes will test how net zero operational homes can be delivered at scale.

We hope to encourage an increased uptake of net zero living by consumers and industry to help drive down the cost for homeowners through economies of scale. The aim is to make this the new normal – the features of this home can be taken up in any new build or retrofit. 

When the home is open later in 2025, we hope people will be inspired to build their own net zero operational homes, cutting down on energy bills and making a bigger difference to the environment.

During the design and construction of Panorama, we are establishing industry best practice standards in climate resilience and modern sustainable living. 

We have pioneered the use of low carbon materials and construction processes in the rollout of new roads, footpaths and driveways. This Australian first has:

• Recycled more than 126,000 paper/coffee cups into asphalt for a new 630m stretch of road;
• Diverted more than 3650 used car and truck tyres and 280 tonnes of recycled asphalt pavement from landfill;
• Trialled innovative sustainable materials and contributed to long-term maintenance and operational saving; and
• Commenced a deep collaboration with Wollondilly Shire Council, our civil contractors TRN Group and material suppliers that paves the way for future sustainable infrastructure in South-West Sydney.

Importantly, the above measures bring only a small increase to the overall construction cost, and an even smaller increase to the overall project delivery cost. Implementing sustainable solutions and delivering project efficiencies can both be achieved.

Panorama has been designed to achieve carbon neutrality and be resilient to a changing climate. We're providing rebates to encourage all-electric homes equipped with energy-efficient appliances and solar panels, which significantly lowers energy bills and carbon footprints.

It is achieving a minimum 40 per cent tree canopy cover to combat the urban heat island effect and includes a 410 ha Environmental Conservation Area and 52 ha of open space. Homes will incorporate water-efficient landscaping, recycled water systems for laundries, toilets and gardens, LED lighting, lighter-coloured roofs and double-glazed windows.

The start of 2025 saw the first residents arrive at Panorama. Already we're seeing a sense of community ownership and pride as more people understand how post-consumer recycled material can be used to achieve end-to-end sustainability solutions.

Over the next 20 years we're transforming the Panorama site to deliver 5600 new and diverse dwellings. It will eventually become home to more than 15,000 new residents, providing much needed housing options amid the ongoing housing crisis.

Our collaboration with Wollondilly Shire Council and local contractors ensures active community involvement and interest, and our engagement with the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Dharawal and Gundungarra people, brings cultural knowledge into the planning and development process.  

This project is a pathway for industry to learn and apply sustainable, viable and practical solutions as we work towards net zero emissions.