Investing in the future
A conversation with Kaz Chau, Development Manager at Gamuda Land
As we continue to face climate change and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable development practices has never been greater.
- By Gamuda Land
- 22 March 2023
This is especially true in the residential property development sector, where developers are under increasing pressure to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their projects.
This pressure comes directly from purchasers who continue to look for homes that incorporate sustainable solutions and allow residents peace of mind that their purchase is contributing to a greater purpose. This push by purchasers comes on top of rising capital costs and current tough market conditions that leave little space for development companies to increase their expenses to meet this demand.
In Australia, developers are consistently being held accountable for the impact of their projects on the environment and society, with an increasing number of regulations and guidelines being introduced to encourage sustainable practices.
However, these challenges, particularly in a sector where costs and timelines are often the primary focus, require developers to adopt innovative sustainable practices that meet their obligations to financial implications, the environment and society.
Here at Gamuda Land, our mission to work with nature and preserve what was there before us compels us to find innovative ways to incorporate sustainable living solutions into our designs and meet these ongoing requirements for our purchasers.
We recently sat down with Kaz Chau, Gamuda Land Australia’s Acquisitions & Development Manager for her insight into the future of sustainability in the sector and what actions Gamuda Land are taking in our Australian projects to assist this.
With over 15 years of property experience across Australia and the Asia-Pacific and a master’s degree in Social Science, Environment and Planning from RMIT University, Kaz began her career at Gamuda Land Australia in 2022. She is currently working alongside our senior team to assist in the delivery of leading innovations at The Canopy on Normanby such as the GSHP and Miyawaki Forest.
Kaz discussed the processes the team at Gamuda Land Australia follows to ensure they are creating sustainable, future-focused developments that will provide for generations of Australians considering the current market conditions.
“At the beginning of every Gamuda Land Australia development, we utilise a unique key selection criterion to determine the feasibility of a site, identifying the necessary requirements of the surrounding community to decide where our team can make the largest impact.
Gamuda Berhad’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and alignment to science-based targets via Business Ambition for 1.5 Degrees Celsius, allows us to set our Australian business model with sustainability as a benchmark.
The Gamuda Green Plan – Meeting ESG Requirements
The work we do globally is underpinned by the Gamuda Green Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that commits the entire group to sustainable construction and development through tangible ESG targets. The Canopy on Normanby will aid us to deliver on these through innovative energy and environmental solutions such as the GSHP and Miyawaki Forest.”
Our guiding principle ‘Sustainability Through Innovation’, outlined in our Gamuda Green Plan, commits our entire company to achieving our targets. All business areas of Gamuda Land are required to report annually on these targets set out by our global HQ in Malaysia.
The Canopy on Normanby – South Melbourne
Our approach to sustainability at The Canopy on Normanby will provide a myriad of sustainability solutions that cohesively contribute to the project’s environmental impact. The GSHP will work alongside the 86kW rooftop solar array to provide 5 to 10% of the building’s overall energy requirements while the Miyawaki Forest, rainwater harvesting, and communal gardens will provide significant environmental and societal benefits.
Rising Material Costs
Another key challenge faced by developers is the rising cost of building materials, particularly when considering sustainability. The responsibility of us as a developer is to find cost-effective ways to incorporate this into the design of a project from its outset.
“By taking this approach we are able to realistically scale the price of apartments within our projects and design certain amenities to provide sustainable solutions at an affordable price point.
One of our key strategies for achieving our sustainability goals is the utilisation of the Group’s strong engineering background, industry connections and clever tech advancements to deliver never-before-seen innovations here in Melbourne.
A Greener Future
We recognise that implementing sustainable practices in property development can be challenging, but we believe that the benefits far outweigh the costs. By taking a long-term view of sustainability, we can create developments that are environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable.
Ultimately, our goal is to create thriving communities that support the health and well-being of both people and the planet. By investing in sustainable innovation and contributing to a healthier home and city for our residents, we are helping to shape the future of property development in Australia.
Learn more about the sustainability goals we are achieving at The Canopy, click here to find out more