The Ginninderry project team has underlined its commitment to creating a sustainable community with the announcement today that a Territory Plan waiver will be granted to allow an all-electric pilot project to occur for stage 1 of the development including approximately 350 dwellings.

The announcement made today at The Link by Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury, and Minister for Planning and Land, Mick Gentleman, is a first for the ACT and just one of a range of sustainability measures taken by the project.

The Ginninderry team have been working with Evoenergy (formerly ActewAGL distribution) over a number of years to explore a range of energy options for the development. Stage 1 residents will be able to access a complete Home Energy Package, including mandatory solar panels and energy management systems which together with high efficiency appliances, will allow residents to keep an eye on their energy usage, while helping them to save money on their home energy.

The Ginninderry Energy Pilot Project will allow Evoenergy, the ACT Government and the Ginninderry Joint Venture the ability to not only analyse the environmental and economic impact of a fully electric residential area, but also the impact on the electricity grid when a large proportion of solar panels are installed within a suburb.

Speaking on the announcement, Ginninderry’s Sustainability Manager Jessica Stewart said “it’s exciting to be part of a project that is not afraid to be a leader in the field of energy systems. By implementing a fully electric residential homes solution in our first stage, we are helping the ACT Government pave the way towards its target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It makes sense for new houses to optimise the use of renewable power through a suite of highly efficient electric appliances.”

The project is proud of its achievements to finally see this initiative today supported by the ACT Government, and looks forward to the ongoing collaborative working relationship it shares with all its stakeholders involved in the implementation of this initiative, in particular its ongoing collaboration with Evoenergy.