The contemporary eco-friendly designs have been created by renowned architects including
Gabriel Poole, Paul Witzig, Amy Degenhart, Will Collins & Symbiosphere.

The homes have been designed to optimise the untouched surrounds by incorporating the existing
contours, aspect, and climatic conditions of The Highlands.

The Highlands, which was recently launched by developer Landmatters, adjoins the company’s
internationally acclaimed sustainable residential community, the Ecovillage at Currumbin.

The estate has been recognised for its world leading initiatives by taking out the International Real
Estate Federation’s coveted 2008 International Prix D’Excellence as the World’s Best
Environmental Development.

The Highlands is the final and most prestigious residential land release within the community and is
one the last remaining opportunities to purchase acreage land in southeast Queensland in close
proximity to the superb southern Gold Coast beaches.

Developer Chris Walton, of Landmatters, says the design packages are a new concept and will
maximise the spectacular scenery of The Highlands and our fantastic subtropical climate.

The initial release of The Highlands will include 17 lots ranging in size from approximately 3,000
square metres to more than 6,000 square metres. The homesites will be priced from $595,000.
Overall 38 land parcels will be released over two stages.

“All five of the architecturally designed homes within The Highlands will be pre-approved and ready
to be constructed on a designated land parcel,” said Mr Walton.

“This takes away any hassle and time spent designing your home. Once the land is bought it’s
ready to go if that’s what the buyer chooses.

“The home designs are carbon neutral and will emphasise the views, secluded pockets of
rainforest, creek frontages and the many other amazing natural qualities of The Highlands.

“They will not only be environmentally sustainable but energy costs in the home will decreased by
relying on natural energy resources such as the sun and will be totally water self-sufficient saving
money as well. .

“The homes will adhere to Landmatters’ sustainability philosophies which can be seen in all of the
houses throughout the existing Ecovillage community.”

Chris Walton is a world renowned expert on sustainable living and has revolutionised the way we
build our homes by using innovative, yet practical, sustainable principles which encompass
orientation, design of the home, water conservation, and insulation to name but a few.

“Take for example the way we position our homes… we can maximise sun exposure in winter and
decrease it in summer just by the way the home is oriented,” he said.

“Simple measures such as utilising sunlight and creating cross-flow ventilation insulates the home
and negates the need for use of air-conditioning, which in turn reduces power costs.

The Highlands is one of the last remaining valley acreage estates located so close to the beach
and has recently been brought closer to the southern Gold Coast, Tweed Coast, and areas further
south such as Byron Bay following the completion of the Tugun Bypass.

The future release of acreage lots in southeast Queensland is rapidly diminishing following the
introduction of state government regulations.

For more information please call (07) 5598 7355.

Australia is one of the worlds highest per capita greenhouse gas emitters and with about 20% of this effect coming from homes, we can really make a difference.

With the Qld Government expecting a 1°C temperature increase by 2030 and all the resulting problems with global warming, its up to each of us to do our bit.

What’s best to do first:
Guess what uses the most home energy? – no not the fridge, air-conditioner, heater or the stove but the heating of water by our hot water systems, washing machines and dishwashers and in the kitchen.

Our average Queensland household uses about 23 kilowatt hours of electricity per day – that’s adds up to 8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year!  Heating water can account for up to 40% of our total energy usage and on current electricity costs if you are on the highest tariffs this could mean up to $600 per year which, no doubt, you could use for other things.

The simple solution to most of the water heating dilemma is to replace our old energy sucking dinosaur electric system with solar hot water.  Solar can provide nearly all of your hot water needs free of charge from the sun and at the moment with government subsidies, they are a deal and pay themselves off quickly.

The Federal Government is offering $1600 off the solar cost if you are replacing an old electric system in your existing home and combined with the discount from the Renewable Energy Certificates that are yours to sell back to your supplier at purchase, you could be have installed a brand new solar system for as low as $1400.

What is solar hot water? – These systems use a solar collector, which is a box with a mattrix of pipes and usually a black backing and glass cover that heats up water in the pipes and transfers the hot water to a storage tank. The storage tank is either on the roof next to the collector or Close Coupled system or on the ground or in the roof system Split system.  The Close Coupled systems are the more efficient than Split systems as the on the ground storage tanks have an electric pump which use energy! The Close Coupled systems are a bit obvious and bulky on your roof but really they are an icon of sustainable living.

The trick is with solar to buy the most efficient system you can afford.  The cheaper ones are not that efficient and in cloudy weather, particularly in winter, they use a lot of booster energy, mostly with, and you guessed it, an electric element like our old systems.

The more expensive better quality solar systems are more efficient and if well located virtually can provide nearly all your hot water needs, bar those cloudiest coldest days, for any energy input boosting at all! The electric boosting element is very inefficient and uses a lot of energy as it is heating water even when you are away on holidays!

Better boosting comes with the use of an instantaneous gas heater which is located between your solar system and your taps and augments the solar hot water by topping up the heat if the water is not warm enough.  This “on demand” gas heater is more expensive than the electric element but is a far better way to go as it is only activated when hot water boosting is actually needed.  You can turn it on and off yourself so you have direct control and in some models turn the temperature up and down.

Try to buy an Australian made system, there will be less environmental impacts and you will stimulate our local economy and preserve jobs.

Our Behaviour!
Its not homes that use energy, it’s people, the householders!

Saving money and environmental impacts is about our behaviour, so if you can’t upgrade to a solar hot water system, simply look to try and use less hot water.
Here are some simple tips:
•    Install a water efficient shower head
•    Get a shower timer and enjoy shorter showers
•    If you have to use the bath with a friend or family!
•     Use your washing machine on the cold cycle or connect only the cold water
•    Only use your or dishwasher when it’s a full loaded – it heats its own water
•    Conserve your washing up water
And the last one is a cracker…………… The Climate Change Cuppa
Believe it or not heating your jug for a cuppa uses lots of energy.

It costs money for every cup of water you boil.  Ever notice how we decadently tend to overfill the kettle and heat up 6 or 7 cups instead of just one.  At 10 times a day over a year, your family’s awareness could save your $100 a year and the world nearly half a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s about using what we need and thinking and acting now to leave a better world for our children.

So living “green”, you can enjoy your life just as much – cut back your energy usage as much as is comfortable, install solar and put the savings in the bank or better still……….. go spend it! (Kevin and Wayne will love you…)

Other info:
•    Install the first 2 metres of hot water pipe from your hot water system to save heat loss
•    Install a hot water recirculating valve that recycles your hot water
•    Locate your hot water system right next to your bathroom/s