Playford Alive’s latest residential land release is poised to become the community’s most sustainably advanced thanks to new, ‘greener’ design guidelines.

The environmentally friendly guidelines being initiated by Renewal SA will introduce new minimum standards for home design at Playford Alive, including the elimination of dark-coloured roofs from homes within future stages of development. Dark-coloured roofs are known to draw and retain more heat.

The move is a significant step forward in promoting environmental responsibility and aims to enhance the overall energy efficiency of properties at Playford Alive – a financial win for residents experiencing growing cost-of-living pressures.

In addition, 60 per cent of the 28 blocks within Stage 6G bound by Coventry Road and Newton Boulevard, are being sold at an affordable price point starting from $170,000 for land, further assisting the hip pocket of homebuyers.

Lighter-coloured roofs are recognised for their pivotal role in mitigating the impact of the urban heat island effect – a phenomenon caused when native vegetation is replaced by dense concentrations of pavement and buildings that absorb and retain heat.

Research has consistently shown light-coloured roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, resulting in cooler indoor temperatures and reduced energy consumption for cooling purposes, which is especially important in greenfield projects such as Playford Alive where the tree canopy is still developing.

From 1 October 2024, the state government will begin implementing changes to the National Construction Code, which includes the introduction of mandated 7-Star NatHERS ratings on residential homes and 5-Star NABERS ratings for all new commercial developments.

To achieve these minimum standards, consideration will be given to the orientation of homes to maximise shade and solar access, along with increases to glazing and insulation standards, new lighting standards and the elimination of dark roof and wall colours to reduce solar absorption and heat retention.

Guided by the Government of South Australia’s Climate Change Action Plan, Renewal SA is committed to helping the state achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Increasing standards around sustainable building practices and the use of energy efficient design and materials in government projects are central to helping achieve this goal.

To track progress of the new sustainability guidelines at Playford Alive, Renewal SA will seek to undertake heat island testing across the development early in the new year, and into the future, to map the impact lighter roofs have on the heat island effect.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the built environment accounts for 39 per cent of global annual carbon emissions, so we know that even relatively small changes can make a meaningful difference,” Mr Wingard said.

Demand for land at Playford Alive remains strong, with just three lots left in the Stage 6G release.

“The release of the previous two stages saw all 50 allotments contracted within the couple of weeks,” Mr Wingard said. “And we are continuing to attract strong interest, particularly as people see the community, infrastructure and amenities that are being created.”

Renewal SA will release a further 35 allotments in Stage 6H at Playford Alive in the first quarter of this year, to further assist in reducing land shortages and provide more affordability and accessibility to home buyers.