The goal for Clarkefield is to deliver Australia’s first carbon neutral township.

With a distinct carbon offset program, proposed shared solar farm and comprehensive community garden, Clarkefield aims to set the benchmark in sustainability.

Clarkefield strives to identify and surpass what a socially aware development looks like.

This includes providing residents with energy-efficient appliances, zero emission transport options, a community garden, waste management solutions and a carbon offset program.

The Community Supported Agriculture program will provide enough land to establish a commercially managed market garden. This will allow residents to buy nutrient-rich, organic, fresh produce straight from their neighbourhood, with no transport costs.

For this project, we will be working with Housing All Australians to find ways to help address the chronic shortage of low-income housing within the local community.

Clarkefield’s carbon offset program will be unique. Inspired by Nordic forestry models, it will involve establishing a diverse forestry offset project for emissions that can’t be reduced to zero.

After 20 years, when it hits maturity, 5% of the forest will be harvested for timber that residents can use for decks, fencing and other purposes.

The forest itself is proposed to then serve as a community recreation asset – with bike tracks and forest walks providing local access to nature. .

Clarkefield’s energy supply will also be distinct. The first 400 homes will have a minimum 5kw solar system on every roof – with financing options to avoid purchasers having the initial capital outlay.

All homes will be fitted with energy efficient appliances and the option of smart in-home energy management. This will ensure we maximise the value of rooftop solar.

Once this is rolled out, we’ll install a shared 11.5MW solar farm in 2.5MW phases. The goal of this farm is to provide enough energy to power every home – and sufficient power to run an electric vehicle for 15,000kms per year.

This means every resident will have a share in the solar, and in exchange, enjoy lower power bills.

With Clarkefield, we want to challenge traditional business thinking and approaches.

We’re constantly identifying new ways to reduce our carbon emissions. And often, the answer is in partnering with environmentally responsible suppliers. 

This includes sourcing low emission products, such as concrete and asphalt with recycled content – and zero emission fuel options for heavy machinery, such as biodiesel from waste products.  

For the balance of carbon emissions that we can’t reduce to zero, we plan to work with a carbon offset partner to create a certifiable carbon offset project.