The Point wins at the 2020 UDIA Environmental Excellence Awards

Point Lonsdale’s most prestigious residential estate, The Point, has been recognised for its environmental credentials, taking out the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Environmental Excellence Awards.

The estate’s developer, the Moremac Property Group, won the Environmental Excellence Award after overcoming the substantial challenges of being close to RAMSAR protected wetlands.

Moremac Property Group director Bryce Moore said they were honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award.

“The Point is a project close to our hearts and one of the most rewarding Moremac has undertaken,” Mr Moore said.

The panel of UDIA judges collectively acknowledged that Moremac had tackled some of the most complex water management systems the judges have ever seen in Victoria.

Situated within Point Lonsdale, The Point is a community of high-quality, coastal-inspired homes set within an environment sensitive to its abundant natural assets, landscapes and parks.

“Leaving a place in a better state than it was when we arrived, overcoming challenges, determination and resilience and a stunning natural environment is what The Point is all about for us,” Mr Moore said.

When Moremac acquired The Point in 2013, from Stockland, after their 10-year effort to gain project approval, it not only came with controversy surrounding the development, but also environmental, engineering, political and community challenges.

“We worked hard to overcome these challenges, turning talk into action, and by creating and delivering The Point Master Plan,” Mr Moore said.

“We had to reverse significant site degradation, protect the sensitive ecosystems, clean up shell grit mined areas, soil contamination and dumped waste, and employ challenging engineering solutions to deliver complex waterway infrastructure – including working 2.5m below sea level.

“On top of that, we designed and delivered a fully monitored water quality solution to protect the RAMSAR-listed Swan Bay, Lakers Cutting and Lake Victoria, while constructing a 6.2km one-way tidal flushing waterway and delivered a solution for potential sea level rise of 800mm from climate change.”

Blending environmental conservation with urban development is a key feature of The Point.

“We created the waterway so it weaves its way through protected vegetation, and also gave us an opportunity to take an innovative approach to lot and road design,” Mr Moore said.

“Over 50 per cent of lots directly overlook the waterway, the streets are constructed without kerbs to reflect and respect the Point Lonsdale character and they also form part of the water sensitive design with the grassed swales and vegetated rain gardens.”

The result is a close-knit community where families and friends engage with nature and each other, in a safe environment, which in itself encourages a healthy lifestyle underpinned from healthy design.

“Moremac recognised that the environment, urban design and the built environment are all critical for the health of the local community and fostering community spirit,” Mr Moore said.

“For us at Moremac, The Point has been a one-on-one lesson on how to undertake development within a coastal environment, and in one of the most challenging spots across Australia.”