$2,000 Annual Saving for Baby Boomers in First All Green Star Homes Designed Community

Ingenia has achieved Green Star Homes Designed certification for all home designs across its latest land lease community, which meets the rigorous assessment criteria from the Green Building Council of Australia, offering retirees an eco-friendly, cheaper, healthy way to live.

Analysis by Kinesis reveals the homes can save residents over $2,000 annually in household bills compared to an original 30 year old gas-powered home, with potential savings exceeding $23,000 over a decade.*

Ingenia CEO John Carfi said: "We're pioneering a new era of sustainable land lease communities that enhances resident quality of life while lowering running costs. With people living longer, retirement dollars need to stretch further. We're proud to offer our residents homes that represent the future of affordable, sustainable retirement living."

Research from Catalyst (2023) highlights the rising environmental consciousness of retiring baby boomers**. Ingenia addresses this demand by integrating sustainability features such as solar power, high-performance insulation, recycled water, hot water heat pump, heat recovery ventilation, thermally efficient windows and all electric appliances. The homes also surpass the National Construction Code's 2022 minimum 7-star energy efficiency standard, achieving a 7.5-star NatHERS rating.

The Green Star homes are also designed to achieve a 100% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions, making them Net Zero. This is equivalent to avoiding over 3,100 local car trips annually for each home*.

"These homes reflect the values of a new generation of retirees who care deeply about their quality of life and leaving a lighter carbon footprint for their children and grandchildren," said Mr Carfi.

Retirees Jon and Cheryl Abbott said the home's green features were a big attraction.

"We currently live in a 43 year old house so moving into a home that uses less energy and is more environmentally friendly is a big tick for us.

"Like everyone, we're not immune to cost of living pressures, so bill savings will be a significant benefit stemming from our decision.

"We're fit, active people and want to stay that way as long as we can, so the healthy aspects of the homes such as ventilated fresh air and toxin-free materials were very appealing."

Located 37 km from Melbourne's CBD, Ingenia's Beveridge community features 262 architecturally designed homes and resort-style facilities spread over 10 hectares. Priced from $475,000***, the turnkey homes comprise a mix of seven home designs and feature two and three-bedrooms with lock up garages.

The community clubhouse will feature a lounge area, bar and billiard tables, gold-class-style cinema, indoor heated pool, gym and yoga studio, library, hair salon, croquet and pickleball courts, BBQ area, community garden and workshop.

Ingenia Communities is also targeting a 4-star Green Star Communities rating. The community will have its own embedded energy network providing cost-effective, surplus renewable energy directly to residents, a communal EV and recycled water system.

"Ingenia is driving change on a large-scale communities level by investing in skills and innovations that make sustainable developments accessible and affordable," Mr Carfi said.

Construction of the homes has commenced, with the first residents expected to move in mid-2025.

Land lease communities are an increasingly popular option for senior Australians seeking affordable homes, premium facilities and social activities, with more than 130,000 retirees living in land lease communities around the country.****

The Ingenia land lease model means the buyer owns the house but leases the land it is on via a weekly site rental fee. There are no exit fees, deferred management fees (DMF) or stamp duty and buyers get to keep any capital gains.

Ends

*Kinesis 'Green Star Home Sustainability Analysis Report,' October 2024. Ingenia Lifestyle commissioned sustainability consultancy Kinesis to analyse the financial and environmental benefits of a Green Star Home compared to a 30 year old home with a gas connection for heating, cooking and hot water. To provide a like-for-like comparison, both houses are single storey, standalone homes designed for 2 people, with 3 bedrooms and a total floor area of 175.5 sqm. The 30 year old home is assumed to have a 5-star NatHERS thermal performance rating while the Green Star home has a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating. This approach controls any physical differences in the home and allows for effective sustainability performance comparison. The analysis assumes 3% inflation per annum for 10 years based on RBA projections. Refer accompanying fact sheet.

**The Catalyst Report - Retirement Living insights 2023.

***Price correct 20.01.25. Subject to change and availability.

****Australian Land Lease Communities - An Overview, September 2024, Chadwick Property Valuers.

Media enquiries
Sally Locke 
Director
Amplify Communications
0413 584 323
sally@amplifycomms.com.au

About Ingenia Communities
Ingenia Communities is a top 200 ASX-listed operator, owner and developer of land lease communities, senior rentals, and holiday parks. Its $2.5 billion portfolio includes over 100 communities and development sites including 30 land lease communities across Australia where over 5,000 residents choose to own their own home. www.ingeniacommunities.com.au