Pinnacle Residential Estate, developed by Abiwood and located at Smythes Creek, was officially unveiled on Saturday, with plenty of locals signalling interest in the 700-lot community space.

However, Abiwood development manager Simon Watts said the site is different to standard estates, with an emphasis placed on preserving the environment and its ecosystems.

Pinnacle is the first residential project in Ballarat to seek the Urban Development Institute of Australia EnviroDevelopment certification.

The nationally recognized accolade demonstrates the developer’s commitment to the delivery of sustainable communities.

Certified EnviroDevelopment sites display commitment to a set of ‘leaves’ which demonstrate care for the environment across the ecosystem, waste, energy, materials, water and community levels.

“The aim of the accreditation system is to make developers push themselves a little harder to achieve outstanding outcomes for developments,” Mr Watts said.

“Developers target a certain number of leaves, the maximum number of leaves you can get is six.

“We’re very keen on sustainability as an organisation, we believe we have a responsibility to develop science efficiently and enhance the area in which we develop.

“The idea is to try and get people to think slightly outside the box and we’re very cognisant of the type of vegetation you incorporate into your design – it’s about going above and beyond in your call of duty to make an outstanding product and not just going cheap as chips.”

Mr Watts said the estate will incorporate a minimum of four ‘leaves’, but is still hopeful of achieving all six.

The project is still in its opening stages, with a selection of prime allotments from 256-667 metres squared now selling.

The release of stage two will providing further land options to prospective home buyers. 

“We’re in engineering design at the moment for the first three stages of the project,” Mr Watts said.

“The next phase is working through the engineering approvals process, going out to tender with the contractors and try to make a start on site – which we hope to do in the next four to five months.

“The intention is to have the first stage complete in the next 12 months.”

A major shopping precinct opposite the development has been proposed and is scheduled to be opened in late 2017.

Future parklands, a library, primary school, sporting and community facilities will also be provided within this planned community.