Toward the end of FY19 Landcom launched its first Sustainability Rebate to home buyers at Macarthur Heights, and in FY20 we saw the first claims for this Rebate. This is a new incentive to encourage greater sustainability and resilience of new homes in Landcom communities.
With the first sustainability rebate paid during FY20, we have a further eight rebate submissions being reviewed at the time of reporting and another 41 buyers in Stage 4 of the project. All prospective buyers at Macarthur Heights Stage 5 are eligible for the rebate, which is currently selling with settlements and completions expected in FY21.
The Sustainability Rebate supplements Landcom’s existing Landscaping and Fencing Rebate and offers a $15,000 incentive to buyers who build their homes to meet or exceed Landcom’s standards, for example our BASIX targets.
Our Sustainability Rebate was developed in collaboration with the Landcom Sales and Marketing Team. Sales and Marketing undertook a review of the residential market to determine the best financial rebate value sufficient to attract interest and drive sales leads. We then worked within the prescribed rebate value to reverse-engineer what type of home interventions would yield the greatest return on investment — both for the home owner, and to accelerate Landcom’s performance against our Energy & Emissions and Environmental Management targets.
Inclusions that will contribute to a residential home meeting Landcom’s BASIX targets include:
• LED lighting upgrades
• ceiling fans
• solar panels
• upgraded insulation and low-E glazing.
A key consideration was to ensure the Sustainability Rebate was beneficial to new owner occupiers and renters that may choose to live in a new home within a Landcom community. Enhancing the quality and efficiency of a home improves its overall value — benefiting owner occupiers and investors. As the rebate also enables operational cost savings for the life of the home, it ensures renters derive value too. To claim the Rebate buyers must present their BASIX Certificate to Landcom showing they have met or exceeded the minimum score set by Landcom. BASIX Certificates are required by the Department of Planning and Environment and form part of existing development consent and occupancy certification requirements at the completion of a home build, so there is minimal cost impost for our customers to claim the Rebate. Through this process, we are one step closer to our net-zero carbon leadership Goal, encouraging low carbon homes. The first BASIX certificate claimed for the rebate achieved an energy score of 92 and a water score of 40.
The Sustainability Rebate can be downloaded here.
