Preserving significant trees on residential blocks in
Victoria will be easier in the future thanks to a Year of
the Built Environment project launched today by
Planning Minister, Mary Delahunty.
The Minister launching the project with a community
sod turning ceremony
Ms Delahunty said the Tree House project would see
two houses built around a 114-year-old Moreton Bay
Fig on a property at 138 Cranbourne Rd in Frankston.
"I placed a preservation order on the tree in July last
year, when I was alerted to the possibility of it being
bulldozed," Ms Delahunty said.
"Now two homes will be built around this significant
tree, proving that houses can be designed in harmony
with the natural environment and to complement our
natural assets.
"The steps taken to ensure the homes and the tree will
successfully co-exist will be captured, and the
information will be shared with local government,
environment and community groups, as well as the
building industry.
"This project is an excellent example of how the built
environment can grow without adversely affecting the
natural environment.
"If not carefully thought out, change and growth
sometimes comes at a cost - to the environment, and
to a neighbourhood's way of life. The Tree House
project is just one way of ensuring growth doesn't
come at an unacceptable cost," Ms Delahunty said.
The $800,000 Tree House project is a partnership
between Archicentre, Frankston City Council and
Devine Homes.
Frankston MP Alistair Harkness - who urged Ms
Delahunty to place a heritage protection order on the
tree last year - said both homes will achieve a 5 Star
energy rating. One will have an environmental focus
while the other will be built as a Kidsafe house.
"Ms Delahunty's intervention and the innovative
housing designs ensure the preservation of a natural
Frankston landmark,'' Mr Harkness said.
"The homes' roofs have been designed to pipe water
directly to the tree's roots and wash leaves and fruit
back to the tree when it rains,'' he said.
Profits from the sale of the two houses will go to
Kidsafe for Child Accident Prevention programs and the
Environment Fund of the Frankston City Council.
"In the Year of the Built Environment, the Tree House
project provides a unique opportunity to showcase a
sensitive environmental design. And what is learnt here
will be shared with local government, community
groups and the building industry,'' Ms Delahunty said.
Media Contact:
Martin Curtis 0400 512 618
Ron Smith Archicentre 0417 329 201
