Armstrong Creek: A compelling business case for sustainable development in Victoria

Sustainability Victoria is committed to encouraging the uptake of more sustainable precincts and communities.

One major project that is breaking new ground for Victorians is our recent study into creating a sustainable urban development at Armstrong Creek, south of Geelong.

Armstrong Creek - a unique opportunity for the Geelong region

Armstrong Creek is one of the principal urban growth areas for the Geelong region. The area comprises 2,350 hectares of developable land.

Armstrong Creek is central to the City of Greater Geelong's strategy for increasing housing supply and maintaining housing affordability.  When complete, Armstrong Creek will:

• accommodate up to 22,000 homes
• include two commercial/industrial precincts and a major activity centre
• support a population of approximately 54,000 people
• support around 22,000 jobs.

The City of Greater Geelong's vision for Armstrong Creek is "a sustainable community that sets new benchmarks in best practice urban development. The development should also protect and enhance natural environmental features and create a distinctly "green" urban character".

Our role

Sustainability Victoria, on behalf of the Victorian Government, sponsored the development of a Business Case. This Business Case identified opportunities to achieve better environmental outcomes for Armstrong Creek, without compromising the economic and social objectives of the City of Greater Geelong.

Early engagement of all major stakeholders was critical in the scoping and development of the Business Case. The stakeholders included:

• City of Greater Geelong
• Department of Planning and Community Development
• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Building Commission
• Barwon Water.

The development of the business case was undertaken in three integrated reports:

• The analysis of sustainable energy supply and demand options for the development: Sustainable Alternative Energy Supply and Demand Options Analysis (Sustainability Victoria, February 2009)
• Analysis of options for water infrastructure: Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan: Water Infrastructure Review (GHD, May 2009)
• The development of the business case: Sustainability Envelope for Armstrong Creek, Victoria: Business Case Development and Planning Issues (Dr. R. R. Noakes and Mr. J. Collins, August 2009).

Based on outcomes of these reports and the business case, guidelines (Guidelines for future developments: preparing a sustainability framework plan and business case) have been produced to assist you in developing a sustainability framework plan and business case.

What we found

Creating a sustainable development at Armstrong Creek could deliver approximately $466 million in savings (Net Present Value) to residents, developers and the community over 15 years. This includes approximately $48million in capital investment savings (Net Present Value) compared to a conventional development approach.

The Armstrong Creek business case uses a whole-of-development analysis and demonstrates the financial and economic case for sustainable development. The business case also identified that with a strategic roll-out, existing technologies and sustainable technologies can be successfully used together to deliver substantial economic, environmental and social benefits.

Top | Last updated 26/10/2009