New Castlemaine Eco Village Creates a Stir

Castlemaine is the home of a new eco village that is set to create new standards for sustainable living in Australia. Even before the official launch, Melbournians have been travelling up to Castlemaine to the informal Coffee Q&A sessions to learn more about this path-breaking new development.

The Paddock Eco Village will offer a high quality, low-carbon lifestyle with an emphasis on food growing and community – at prices that compare favourably to Melbourne property. The 27 architect-designed houses will form a crescent around a large area of shared space comprising of food gardens, planted wetlands, walkways and recreation areas.

The brainchild of local ‘enviro-entrepreneurs’ Neil and Heather Barrett, The Paddock is being developed in accordance with the Living Building Challenge, a rigorous, inspiring standard for housing developments.

The Paddock’s 8.5 energy-rated architect-designed houses will be smaller than today’s average sized home and will each be powered by a 4kW grid-connected solar system.

“The energy bill savings for a Paddock home, compared to the average Victorian home, will be around $2,000 per year”, said Damien Moyse, Policy and Research Manager at the Alternative Technology Association.

“With house prices from around $390,000, the intention is that The Paddock will be an inclusive place to live for people of all ages and from all backgrounds”, said Neil Barrett.

There is an opportunity to learn more about The Paddock at the launch on Friday 16th June, at 7.30pm at Buda Historic House, Castlemaine. At the event there will be an opportunity to put questions to the architect, engineer, landscape architect as well as the property developers. The following morning, there’ll be an opportunity to visit the site, and meet the team over a cuppa and muffin.

To find out further information visit the website.