ssd creates high-quality residential projects with a focus on design, liveability, value, and the environment.

Sustainability – Energy

ssd’s projects are designed to maximise energy efficiency and minimise greenhouse gas emissions, through initiatives including design guidelines for homes to improve passive solar performance, optimum solar orientation of home sites, energy-efficient fibre-to -the-home networks, and provision for in-home EV charging.

pictured – solar powered barbecues at ssd’s Seagrove project, where ssd successfully negotiated with authorities and regulators to pioneer the introduction of energy efficient street lighting technology.

Sustainability – Water

Recycled water and design guidelines requiring rainwater tanks save tens of millions of litres of clean drinking water every year at ssd’s projects.

Computer-designed wetlands and innovative rain gardens work to naturally remove 90% of pollutants from stormwater, helping to protect the environment.

pictured – 60% of ssd’s Water Edge project has been set aside as wetland habitat.

Sustainability – Waste & emissions

Guidelines for homeowners encourage compost bins, and kerbside green waste services redirect kitchen scraps and garden clippings to create high-quality compost which is used to help grow food and gardens in Victoria, while reducing greenhouse emissions at the same time.

pictured – ssd’s Seagrove project where all greenhouse gas emissions from the over 5,500 cubic metres of concrete used in roads and infrastructure were voluntarily offset in cooperation with Greenfleet through revegetation works in the Western Port catchment.

Sustainability – Materials

ssd’s architecturally designed landscape elements feature a palette of high-quality materials such as recycled timber.  At ssd’s Arbor project, construction of roads and infrastructure has been designed to be compliant with the EnviroDevelopment Technical Standards to minimise the use of non-renewable resources and environmental impacts.

Design guidelines encourage the use of building materials that have a high content of recycled materials or meet environmental scheme standards, as well as encouraging the use of low VOC paints, floor coverings, and building materials to improve indoor air quality.

pictured – reclaimed timber pole forming the shaft of a shade structure in one of four landscaped parks at ssd’s Seagrove project.

Sustainability – Ecosystems

Tens of thousands of indigenous trees and groundcovers have been planted across ssd’s projects, while extensive parks and reserves help to protect important habitat such as mature hollow-bearing trees and wetland areas.  Homeowners are encouraged to plant indigenous plants, while covenants preclude plant species recognised as environmental weeds.

pictured – bronze sculpture at the entry of ssd’s Seagrove project of an endangered Great Egret Ardea Alba – a species of state conservation significance – by award-winning Mornington Peninsula based artist Heather Ellis. The diversity of birdlife has increased from 29 species recorded prior to development to 66 observed native bird species following the construction of Seagrove’s parks and wetland.

Sustainability – Community

ssd’s sustainability initiatives can only be successful in the long term if they have the support of the community.

At ssd’s Seagrove project, all homeowners have been offered a complimentary 12-month membership to Urban Landcare and receive a welcome gift of 30 native plants grown from indigenous seed, and a site visit from a Landcare project officer who can provide advice on water-wise, wildlife-friendly gardening.

pictured – land sales centre at ssd’s Arbor project, with wall-mounted display screens providing information for residents on Arbor’s thirty different sustainability initiatives.