We have been promoting sustainability in our developments through a number programs and initiatives for many years. We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for development in terms of Design and Sustainability and will continue to conduct research, monitor recent trends and improve its practices, processes and procedures to ensure that Design Excellence and Sustainability are at the forefront of planning and development for the State and the people of Western Australia.

According to English Partnerships, our UK equivalent, good place making and sustainable development go hand in hand. They argue that places should be designed to be sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life by ensuring that they are safe, inclusive, well planned, well built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and choice.

These sentiments are reflected in our projects.

The Elements at Harvest Lakes was Western Australia's first project home specifically built to demonstrate core components of affordable, sustainable living.

In 2007, we convened the very successful New Frontiers in Residential Building Materials conference which brought together national experts, developers, builders and product manufacturers to look at the latest trends in new and alternative materials and methods to improve construction delivery speed, affordability and environmental sustainability of homes in WA.

At our Seville Grove project at Armadale in Perth's South East, a range of innovative demonstration homes displaying alternative design and construction techniques that achieve a five star energy rating are that can be sold as complete house and land packages.

Other examples of our sustainable approach to building design can be seen in the Pilbara, at Gracetown and our plan to move towards carbon-neutral living Alkimos in Perth's north.

Improving access to key public transport routes improves social sustainability through a reduced reliance on cars, an increase in social interaction and enhancement of economic benefits such as increased local employment.

Our aim is to deliver social and environmental benefits through the creation of transit-oriented developments (TOD). Examples of these developments include Leighton Beach, Cockburn Central and Joondalup.

Transit-oriented development complements broader State Government objectives which look at sustainable ways to accommodate the expected growth of Perth over the next 25 years.