January/February Newsletter

MULLUM CREEK RESIDENTS NEWS UPDATE

Construction Update

The beginning of 2017 has seen a flurry of activity for the Mullum Creek development.

The construction of the Stage 1 stormwater drainage outfall commenced in February and will be complete by the start of April. At the completion of these works, the installation of the extensive Stage 1 landscape package will commence. These landscaping works have been designed to harmonise with the local bush and creek side surroundings, emphasising indigenous grasses, bushes and trees. The aesthetic approach is in keeping with the considered and high quality design that characterises Mullum Creek .

We are patiently (or somewhat patiently!) waiting for final Council approval for the Stage 2 Engineering Design. Recent discussions with Council indicate that the construction of Stage 2 is still on track to commence in April/May of this year, which would lead to settlements in October/November, 2017. We are looking forward to announcing a more precise estimate of timing after we receive the Engineering Design approval, which will enable us to complete the tender process is complete and appoint a Civil Engineering contractor for Stage 2.

In other exciting news, NBNCO has recently announced that the Mullum Creek Development is now located within a published NBN rollout area. The current Ready For Service Date is the 31st of March, 2017, ensuring that Mullum Creek’s advanced environmental characteristics are matched with Australia’s most sophisticated communications technology.

Regards,

Richard Stokes

 

DRC News

Step 3 Checklist

Now that some lot owners have planning permits in place (!), they are moving onto the Step 3 Construction Documentation Review stage. Please find the Step 3 checklist on the Mullum Creek website detailing what must be included in this submission.

Ground Slab Insulation Guide

The DRC has recently published a Ground Slab Insulation Guide which is available on the Mullum Creek website. We were prompted to prepare this Guide when we realised that the vast majority of home designs presented to us for review rely heavily on continuous insulation of concrete floor slabs to achieve Mullum Creek’s minimum 7.5 star thermal performance benchmark.

Laying insulation continuously under on-ground concrete floors to habitable spaces (with for example approx. R2.0 (40-60 thick) extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation board) is quite unusual in Australia and potentially very costly. So reading the Guide should be valuable to help you understand what this entails.

You can find more details in the Guide, here.

The DRC intends to add to this Guide by the end of February 2017 with some sample detailed working drawings for Alternatives 1 and 2. They might serve as a starting point for your engineer if your home design relies on continuous under-slab insulation. Of course, the best way to avoid needing to factor in the cost of this construction detail is by designing your home according to the thermal performance principles outlined in in this Guide and in Section 6.2 of the Mullum Creek Design Guidelines.

Above is an excerpt from the Ground Slab Insulation Guide.

We invite all owners and designers to contribute to this Guide by sending us any information or experience you might have with under-slab insulation, email: info@mullumcreek.com.au

Steffen Welsch

The DRC has been approached by some designers who would like to contribute small articles to our EDMs and the first is available below. Steffen Welsch of Steffen Welsch Architects has written a piece for us on what drives his firm to create environmentally sensitive homes.

“We used to believe that passive solar design involved catching the sun in winter and shading in summer, resulting in a simple box with large windows to the north and few windows to the south. Every room had to be oriented to the sun which restricted layout options. Passive design also had a certain ‘look’: untreated timber, corrugated iron, eaves, rainwater tanks, solar panels and a slight lack of solidity – homes felt more like a shed than a house. While we want our buildings to be low impact and use resources sparingly and wisely, a home is much more than an energy efficient box. Read more…

Community & Events

Sustainable Living Festival

The National Sustainable Living Festival aims to accelerate the uptake of sustainable living and seeks solutions to global warming that will return the planet to a safe climate as fast as humanly possible. The Festival raises awareness and provides tools for change by showcasing leading solutions to the ecological and social challenges we face.

The Festival’s three-week program engages individuals and communities across Victoria to host and promote sustainability events. Celebrating the very best examples of ecological and social sustainability, the event embraces interactive workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibits, films and live performances.

Date:              4-28 February 2017
Locations:     Across Melbourne
For details:    Click here

Warm regards,

Mullum Creek Team

There are places you remember. Mullum Creek is a place you’ll never forget.

03 9480 0605

info@mullumcreek.com.au

www.mullumcreek.com.au