Riverlee is thrilled to announce that New Epping has achieved the 6 Star Green Star Communities certification awarded by Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), recognising New Epping’s world leadership in environmental, social and community value.

The Green Star certification is an internationally recognised sustainability rating system which measures five key criteria: governance, liveability, economic prosperity, environment and innovation. Importantly, the system goes beyond typical sustainability markers and considers a holistic spread of factors that support a truly sustainable community. The Green Star Communities tool aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and addresses a wide range of issues beyond environmental concerns, including social equity, affordability, and Indigenous inclusion.

Riverlee’s score of 84 points exceeded the 75-point minimum requirement for 6 stars, which underpins the strength of the sustainability innovation at New Epping. It is now one of only six projects in Victoria to achieve the world leading 6 Star Green Star Communities certification and the most sustainable project in Riverlee’s portfolio, setting a new benchmark.

The achievement is the result of collaborative and considered planning and design, driven by Riverlee’s vision to create a community that prioritises the health, happiness and wellbeing of its people, while also making a positive impact on the environment. Riverlee’s partners included Hatch, HIP V. HYPE, Kinesis, Stantec and Verve Projects.

Riverlee worked in close collaboration with the sustainability consulting team at Stantec to implement a framework to achieve this exceptional rating, a process which began more than 18 months ago. While rehabilitating an existing landfill was a significant sustainable initiative, the team aspired to go further, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development.

Stantec reviewed New Epping’s existing plans and strategies, recognising and building upon sustainability initiatives already in place, and translating them into a robust, measurable framework for implementation across the development.

Kenneth Yuen, Stantec’s sustainability project technical lead, commented on the achievement:

“What stands out about Riverlee’s approach is their dedication to making actionable and enduring commitments that align with their project goals. The process was challenging, requiring coordination across multiple disciplines and pushing the team to ask difficult questions, but we were inspired by Riverlee’s determination to achieve the highest possible rating across all criteria.

The 6-star rating puts Riverlee on par with much larger developers for their sustainable development approach. More importantly, it provides a robust framework for implementing and managing these commitments throughout the project’s lifecycle. New Epping sets a fantastic benchmark for sustainable community development in Australia.”

Particularly noteworthy scores were achieved in the innovation category, achieving 10 points out of a possible score of 10. Some of the standout innovations include the ambitious undertaking of building on a former landfill site, which required specialised techniques for ground stabilisation and expert engineering to transform the land. The project also implemented passive irrigation systems for street trees, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to urban greening and water management.

A cornerstone of New Epping’s innovation is around nature, and in particular:

The regeneration of a former brownfields site, in a considered way with nature and landscape at the heart of building and community design connected by the Edgar’s Creek Corridor. This initiative goes beyond simple environmental restoration, with the creation of a colocated conservation space for endangered species, regional drainage functionality, and amenities for future residents, visitors and works within the precinct which include education, and recreation.

An innovative passive irrigation strategy to ensure optimum conditions for street trees and vegetation including passive self-watering with collection of water from roads.
The development’s approach to Indigenous engagement also stands out as a significant area of innovation. Riverlee has nurtured meaningful relationships with Wurundjeri Elders, integrating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into the fabric of the development. This collaboration is particularly evident in the revitalisation of the Edgar’s Creek Corridor, where Wurundjeri insights are playing a crucial role in shaping the design.

“The certification is a significant milestone for New Epping, but it also represents a broader vision for how developments should be designed in the future. We’re excited about the positive impact this approach will have on New Epping’s workers, future residents, the broader community, and the local ecosystem. This 6-star rating is a commitment to deliver a sustainable community that will stand the test of time,” said Riverlee Project Director, Ben Rowe.

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