Australia’s First Carbon Zero housing site will be located in Cape Paterson in Victoria.

The housing development will feature 220 energy efficient solar powered houses, community food production, electric vehicle infrastructure, community buildings, facilities and parks.

The firm at the helm of the project is Adam Dettrick Architects which has come up with designs in collaboration with other firms including Design Habitat, Beaumont Concepts, DKO architects and Workshop Architecture Design.

The buildings have been independently rated as 7.5 star energy efficient and include solar energy systems, efficient appliances, and 10,000 litres of rainwater storage.

A study conducted by Sustainability Victoria showed that rainwater tanks, high efficiency appliances and the use of an electric vehicle can save households more than $300,000 and eight years off a typical mortgage.

The study assessed the performance of concept homes designed for the Ecovillage against conventional new homes and a pre-existing Victorian home. The study deliberately avoided assuming government support for sustainability features would be available.

Materials included in the houses will be Earth blocks, panelised cladding, and weatherboards.  Ecomax or similar concrete (polished concrete in living areas), option for rammed earth blocks as interior feature walls for thermal mass, plantation pine framing, E-zero cabinets, all windows and doors aluminium double glazed.

The Ecovillage has already won a Victorian Premiers Sustainability Award last month