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Blackwood Park was one of the first developments to be certified in South Australia as an EnviroDevelopment. Along with Mawson Lakes and Lochiel Park as trial participants, Blackwood Park (Phase 2) achieved certification for four elements – Ecosystems, Waste, Energy and Community.

The subject land has been owned by Minda Incorporated for several decades and utilised as open grazing land as part of their “Craigburn Farm” operations. 

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Ecosystems

• A thorough site analysis was conducted in the initial planning stages of Blackwood Park to identify the prime areas of significance to be the tree lined gullies which provide ecological corridors for flora and fauna.
• The natural hydrological regimes through the gully systems have been protected.
• The four stormwater detention basins and various other methods, such as natural open swale, have been utilised to restrict the flow of stormwater to pre-development levels. 
• Natural open swales have been utilised throughout the development.
• The majority of earthworks have been contained within the former cattle grazing areas which have limited ecological value.
• Where large numbers of significant trees exist either reserves have been created or the allotment layout has been designed to fit these trees in the rear of allotments.
• The development masterplan seeks to work with the natural slope of the site to achieve a layout that minimises the disruption to the natural landform and the need for earthworks. Specifically the road layout has been designed and constructed to fit with the topography of the site by following the contours where possible. These measures were taken to meet required road grades more easily and hence minimise cut and fill.
• Hence, cut and fill during the civil construction phase has been kept to an absolute minimum on the site. 
• Requirements for a maximum cut or fill of 1.5 metres have been included in the Urban Design Guidelines to minimise the level of cut and fill that builders can undertake on individual lots.
• The Urban Design Guidelines recommend the use of split-level homes, elevated platforms, pole-framed homes or tiered retaining walls to minimise disruption to landform and natural drainage contours.
• Blackwood Park is committed to planting native trees local to the area. All plantings are native and 63% locally native species. The developer also actively encourages purchasers to incorporate local native plant species in private landscaping.
• The developer has rehabilitated a large proportion of the former grazing areas by removing invasive plant species, such as olive trees, and replanting the areas with local native plant species.
• Comprehensive bushfire mitigation and management plan has been implemented including access tracks, buffer strips, low fuel plantings and fire breaks.
• Retention of over 80% of native trees above 3meters in height.
• 62% of the site has been retained for open space and approximately 175 hectares has been transferred to the State Government (Department of Environment and Heritage) and will be added to the existing Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and a further 37.96 hectares will remain as local government reserves within the development.
• Minimisation of road crossing to ensure ecological corridors are maintained. The roads required to cross ecological corridors have been designed to allow wildlife to cross easily via the use of tunnels and bridges, while limiting fencing and retaining walls where possible. Wildlife crossing signs have also been incorporated.

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Waste

• All civil contractors working on site must provide a dedicated waste management plan.
• Partnership with Keep South Australia Beautiful (KESAB) and the City of Mitcham to implement the KESAB Clean Site program for Blackwood Park, involving information sessions onsite for builders which included waste minimisation techniques and regular site visits by KESAB and the City of Mitcham’s environmental representative to ensure compliance.
• Use of skip bins rather than cages.
• Use of waste recycling contractors.
• Green waste collection service for residents.

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Energy

• Building Envelope Plans (BEP’s) will be created for each allotment within Blackwood Park consisting of a minimum 4 metre rear setback for single storey homes. Where allotments back onto each other a minimum distance of 8 metres between two homes exists allowing for the Flexible Solar Access Zone (FSAZ) requirement to be met for these homes.
• Each home must provide a solar courtyard.
• All homes within the development to either achieve an equivalent 6 star energy efficiency standard as assessed by the “AccuRate” or “FirstRate” rating systems, install a solar hot water system or install 1.5 kW of photo-voltaic cells.
• Development wide usage of efficient energy for public lighting.

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Community

• Incorporation of community feedback.
• Maintenance of strong links to heritage of the Craigburn Farm site including the incorporation of an existing house which was formally the farm managers residence and naming of streets after past presidents, life founders and names of significance to Minda Incorporated.
• Linking of bicycle lanes from the development to the local shopping hub approximately 2 kilometres away.
• Provision of public transport within 500m of 75% of residents.
• Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology to encourage working from home.
• 50% of allotments will be directly overlooking public space
• Community Tree Planting program involving the Conservation Volunteers. The community planting will involve local school students, local residents and other community groups.
• Community Sponsorship - various local clubs over the life of the project, including the Blackwood Football Club, Blackwood Golf Club, and the Rotary Club of Blackwood.
• Incorporation of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
• Development and lot layouts were designed to maintain site lines into open space and extensive pedestrian path networks link these areas. These features encourage residents to use the open space areas for recreational purposes and promoting interaction between residents within the development.
• Development is co-located within 2km of a wide range of existing services and facilities.

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