ALAND Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Brochure

The general information provided by this brochure is accurate as of September 2023 and is intended only as an indicative overview of the projects general content and is subject to change. Interested parties, prospective and actual purchasers should rely on their own enquiries and due diligence. The developer, its officers, employees, agents and related body corporates expressly disclaim any liability and responsibility (to the maximum extent permitted by law) to any person or organisation for any loss, liability, damage or expense arising directly or indirectly from or connected in any way with any use of or reliance on the information contained within this document. All images in this document are artist's impressions and are indicative only, and the final form of the project is subject to change.

ALAND was established in 2002

Since founding ALAND more than 20 years ago, Andrew Hrsto has been a driving force behind the group's success.

When I founded ALAND my ambition was to build attainable, high-quality apartments across Western Sydney. Over 20 years later that vision is still behind everything that ALAND does.

The need for new homes in Sydney has never been more urgent than it is right now and I am proud that ALAND continues to identify new opportunities and, equally importantly, bring them to fruition.

ALAND apartments appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors because of their use of high quality finishes, contemporary design and attractive in-house amenities.

ALAND today is operating in a challenging environment, but I remain focussed on creating beautiful, sustainable and long-lasting buildings that will meet Sydney’s housing needs, now and into the future.

Andrew Hrsto, Founder & Owner of ALAND

Our strategic approach to ESG

As part of establishing ALAND's ESG framework the business undertook:

– research of material topics reported by relevant benchmarked companies and global ESG standards

– strategy workshop and stakeholder engagement to discuss and prioritise material topics based on inputs using a materiality matrix to represent topic importance

– identified and agreed on four broad ESG issues as most relevant for ALAND aligned to Environmental, Social and Governance pillars.

ALAND’s vision is to provide industry leading, sustainable, quality homes and this is supported by our ESG framework and ambitions.

ALAND has recently formalised a strategic approach to ESG that works towards clear ESG outcomes for the business and its stakeholders.

ESG FRAMEWORK AND PRIORITY AREAS

Environment

– Product Excellence and Sustainability: deliver best-in-class products which stand the test of time meeting our diverse stakeholder needs including optimising returns and minimising our impacts on the environment. Priority areas include carbon emissions, waste and customer satisfaction.

Social

– Protecting People: People who work for ALAND, our contractors and partners, should get home as safely as they arrived. This includes encouraging safe work and respect for human rights. Priority areas include health and safety, and the supply chain.

– Developing People: ALAND is a great place to work and grow in the Australian property sector. We are committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where we strive to develop mental, physical and financial wellbeing through the education and upskilling of our stakeholders.

Governance

–

Governance and Risk Management: ALAND embeds strong governance and risk management practices across its entire operations.

Our vision is to provide industry-leading, sustainable, quality homes.

Schofield Gardens Project Bottlebrush Case Study

Schofield Gardens Schofields

The award-winning Schofield Gardens has set new standards in sustainability and illustrates ALAND’s commitment to creating innovative, affordable housing that contributes to the community.

Due to the broader Sydney property market boom, interest in ALAND’s Schofield Gardens masterplanned community in Western Sydney increased significantly in 2019-2021, and the last stage sold out before completion in 2022.

Six of the seven stages of this award-winning masterplanned community – Bottlebrush, Wattle, Pandorea, Frangipani, Lotus and Breynia – have already been completed.

The next stage of the Schofield Gardens masterplanned community, Jasmine, will be released by ALAND later this year due to unprecedented demand.

Name Schofield Gardens

Address Manchester Drive, Schofields NSW 2762

Size

930+ Apartments

Six Stages Completed

Launch 2021

Last stage completion 2022

Best

Bottlebrush sustainability

Bottlebrush, Schofields is a highly regarded sustainably-focussed project in Sydney’s thriving North West growth corridor. Bottlebrush was the first stage in the Schofield Gardens masterplanned precinct, launching to the market in October 2019 and completed in November 2020.

The five key sustainability features of Bottlebrush are:

1. It has been built with a clear purpose of sustainability, building a cleaner future and through a partnership with community energy network provider Energy Trade. It is also one of the first residential developments with the largest installation of Tesla Powerwalls in Australia.

2. Not only does the development incorporate a range of sustainable features, it has also met and achieved numerous sustainability targets throughout the building and construction stages.

3. ALAND believes in always being at the forefront of innovation and Bottlebrush was a key project in introducing new construction methodologies. Although CSR Hebel PowerPanel was an already established product, this was the first time it was used in a class 2 & 7a residential development.

4. Bottlebrush also features a modern energy network with the power supply, including onsite photovoltaic (PV) capacity and battery storage, three electric vehicle charging stations and a centralised hot water system.

5. Purchasers have chosen Bottlebrush over other developments because of its approach to sustainability and what that means for the future. Setting a high standard for the following stages, Bottlebrush sold out off the plan prior to completion.

Bottlebrush metrics

A Building Sustainability Index Report that measures the energy efficiency of the project and provides specifications to reduce energy consumption and the overall carbon footprint of the entire development was undertaken. This was to ensure we had provided an environmentally friendly development for the residents and local community.

43 Project BASIX score: Water

30 Project BASIX score: Energy

90% of construction waste was recycled

8% of the apartments at Bottlebrush are NDIS compliant

3EVC

One electric vehicle (EV) charger for every 50 apartments

40kL

40 kilolitres of water is stored and re-used onsite

202kW Canadian Solar panels have a capacity of power of 202kW

120kW Tesla battery storage can reserve and utilise 120kW of electricity

20YR Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) flows

Community at the heart of Bottlebrush

ALAND’s early vision for Schofield Gardens was to create a welcoming, forward-looking residential masterplanned community, in Sydney’s North West growth corridor offering modern apartment living, plenty of green space and a strong sense of social connectivity –underpinned by a powerful commitment to sustainability.

Schofield Gardens has created six stages in this remarkable community and each stage led by Bottlebrush continues ALAND’s tradition of building in harmony with nature. Each development is set around a central courtyard, providing residents with a leafy vista plus an outdoor recreation space, complete with BBQ areas, playgrounds, herb gardens and fruit trees. Bordered on one side by a natural bush reserve, residents can enjoy a taste of country life without having to sacrifice the benefits of connected, urban living. Fresh air, sounds of nature, open fields and sunny skies are just some of the unexpected delights of life at Schofield Gardens: don’t be surprised to hear the sound of a kookaburra singing in a gum tree.

03—PROJECT BOTTLEBRUSH

INITIATIVE 2: ON-SITE SOLAR ENERGY

Tesla meets Bottlebrush

When launched to the market, the project made headlines for its Tesla Powerwall installation – the largest of its kind for an Australian residential community at the time.

The innovative solar and battery solution – delivered at zero capital cost to residents – means that the entire Schofield Gardens community can access the cost-saving benefits of the system.

The system also cuts Bottlebrush's annual carbon emissions by 203 tonnes. This is made possible through the battery and solar system producing 70 megawatts of power plus a combined 324-kilowatt hours of storage capacity, enough to meet the entire power load of the complex at average usage for over five hours. With this project, ALAND not only meets its commitment to provide high-quality, affordable housing, but has also made it possible to reduce ongoing running costs and cut the building's environmental impact by future-proofing the community during the planning, design and implantation stages.

202 kW Canadian Solar panels have a capacity of power of 202kW

120 kW Tesla battery storage can reserve and utilise 120kW of electricity

A defining feature of the community is its ground-breaking power generation and storage solution – a network of 201kW of solar panels and 24 Tesla Powerwalls – delivered in a partnership between ALAND and energy management company Energy Trade.

INITIATIVE 3: NDIS-READY APARTMENTS

Supporting people living with disabilities

ALAND is passionate about providing affordable housing to the community and also equitable and inclusive housing to people from all walks of life. This includes breaking down barriers to enable people living with disabilities to choose the lifestyle they want, increase quality of life and create a sense of belonging in the community.

Our design incorporates the four categories of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standard:

– Improved liveability

– Robust

– Fully accessible

– High physical support

A total of 8% NDIS-ready apartments were sold at Bottlebrush.

01

Help you access other support networks 04

Reduce any physical risks to yourself or other people

02

Help you to maintain or create relationships 05

Suit the type of home you want to live in, if it aligns with your goals

03

Help you become involved in your community

06

Be more likely to improve outcomes for you than other types of building

8 % of the apartments at Bottlebrush are NDIS compliant

INITIATIVE 4: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS

Electric vehicle chargers

It is also possible that the system's storage capacity can reduce the risk of power outages when electricity demand is at its highest.

Outcomes achieved

Following the installation of the 24 Tesla Powerwalls, the entire power load of the Bottlebrush complex is met, at average usage for more than five hours.

The key innovative element is undoubtedly the installation and commissioning of 201 kilowatts (kW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) system and the installation of 24 Tesla Powerwalls, which have a combined total of 324 kilowatt hours (kWh) of storage. This configuration is sufficient to meet the entire power load of the Bottlebrush development. What’s more, this innovative feature was significant as a first of its kind in a residential development in Australia and it was also carried out at zero capital cost to residents.

The how and why

ALAND has committed itself to future-proofing Bottlebrush since its inception, ensuring that the development complies with and exceeds all green initiative requirements throughout all stages of construction and completion. Although accessing the benefits of on-site solar power has traditionally been challenging for apartment owners and renters, together with Energy Trade, ALAND’s Bottlebrush community has become a place where living a more sustainable and affordable lifestyle has become a reality.

The 324kWh of storage capacity produced by the Tesla Powerwalls, which based on average usage over five hours, can meet the entire power needs of the Bottlebrush community. This forwardthinking green initiative will not only benefit the environment but will also allow residents to rely less on grid electricity.

When the building is completely occupied, this innovative system is expected to meet around 45 percent of the site’s power load, with electricity generated and stored onsite. One of the most beneficial outcomes of this initiative is that the solar PV system will achieve 203 tonnes per annum of CO2 abatement and 70 megawatt hours (mWh) of power generation per year.

By shifting peak demand, Bottlebrush Schofield also relieves pressure on the electricity network. Additionally, the energy partner can capture electricity that’s produced during the day and onsell it throughout non-solar generation periods, such as overnight or when there’s inclement weather.

Additionally, through having the foresight to increasing energy costs, the development has protected itself from being vulnerable to price hikes which is a welcomed benefit for the residents. This is possible as their pricing is supported with a price match guarantee which is only made possible with the innovative system in place.

One EV charger for every 50 apartments

Our commitment to a clean energy future is underscored by the installation of three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

INITIATIVE 5: FOOD PRODUCING VEGETATION

Food producing vegetation

Over 30 fruit trees and 50m2 of low-maintenance herb gardens provide residents with a regular harvest of fresh produce.

Apart from providing seasonal fruit and fresh herbs to home chefs, this additional vegetation helps to remove carbon from the environment and also promotes dialogue among residents.

Gardening is now among the top five leisure activities for people aged 25-65, outranking favourites such as going to the cinema and visiting family.

The resurgence of gardening as a hobby is believed to be underpinned by rising community awareness of health and wellbeing, the increasing popularity of home improvement and cooking reality shows, and the ever growing urban gardening movement extolling the virtues of home grown produce.

Since apartment living is increasingly focussing on function and sustainability, this latest gardening trend will not only save you time but also money. Gardening will no longer take the backseat to an urban lifestyle. Home-grown produce tastes better.

Nourished by filtered stormwater collected on-site, the herb gardens and fruit trees growing at Bottlebrush provide a point of interest for residents, and some much-appreciated ingredients for home cooks.

ALAND Care oversees the maintenance and watering of the lawns and gardens at the development, so residents are freed from the on-going chores normally associated with home gardening while enjoying the benefits of fresh herbs and fruit.

INITIATIVE 6: RAINWATER TANK

Rainwater tanks

Rainwater is harvested from the rooftops, filtered and then stored in tanks for use on lawns and gardens.

All common outdoor areas and gardens at Bottlebrush are watered using recycled rainwater harvested from the rooftops across the complex, thereby reducing the development's reliance on Sydney Water. Benefits of rainwater harvesting include reduced household expenditure on water and storm management costs.

General design

– Rainwater from the roof areas is piped to the storage tank and the overflow from the tank is connected to the bioretention system.

– Rainwater is collected on ground floor. Minimum 85% of roof will drain to rainwater tank. Rainwater reuse for landscape irrigation is 1250m2 Daily demand is 500kL/yr.

– Internal drainage has been designed to cater for 20-year ARI flow. All pipes have been sized accordingly.

40kL rainwater storage tank was installed on the site and is shown on the plan. 20% loss is addressed through MUSIC model.

40k L

40 kilolitres of water is stored and re-used onsite

Bioretention tanks

Bioretention tanks that filter stormwater were installed as a key part of the Schofield Gardens' plan to harness precious resources, including water.

Bioretention tanks were installed at Bottlebrush so that pollutants and sediment could be removed from any stormwater collected from the site.

Once filtered, this water is then used to water all the plants, lawns, herb gardens and fruit trees at Bottlebrush.

General design

Rainwater from the roof areas is piped to the storage tank and the overflow from the tank is connected to the bioretention system.

– The area of each bioretention basin has its own catchment directed straight to it.

– Drainage along the eastern and the southern boundary was completed. All surface flows are directed to bioretention through pits and pipes.

Raingarden sediment pits have been provided to both bioretention basins in Lot 16C and Lots 16 D&E. Council’s standard sediment pit is at the inlet of bioretention.

– Steps have been taken to provide access on the southern side of bioretention for maintenance. An extra 100mm of ponding depth has been added to bioretention.

Internal drainage work is designed to cater for 20-year

Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) flows.

INITIATIVE 8: BASIX

Building Sustainability Index BASIX

Bottlebrush has been assessed to have achieved the highest level of sustainable compliance in NSW.

The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) aims to deliver equitable, effective water and greenhouse gas reductions across the state. The BASIX commitments cover water, energy and thermal comfort for dwellings and water, energy for common areas and central systems/facilities.

A Building Sustainability Index Report at Bottlebrush measured the energy efficiency of the project and provided specifications to reduce energy consumption and the overall carbon footprint of the entire development was undertaken. This was to ensure we had provided an environmentally friendly development for the residents and local community.

43 Project score: Water

30

Project score: Energy

INITIATIVE 9: WASTE MANAGEMENT

Recycling building waste

Throughout the development and construction of Bottlebrush, an expert waste contractor used its advanced systems to recycle any unwanted building material, thereby reducing the quantity of waste being sent to landfill.

90 % of construction waste was recycled

Recycling bins are provided throughout the development and residents are educated to recycle thoughtfully to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

INITIATIVE 10: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INTO ROBUST MATERIALS THAT REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS

Robust materials reduce rework

Bottlebrush has been assessed to have achieved the highest level of sustainable compliance in NSW.

Six stages have been completed since construction on Bottlebrush and Wattle began in 2019 and the striking design continues to generate much attention due to the longevity of high-quality finish of the first stages. Emerging as an anchor project in Schofield Gardens, it was one of the first developments to use Hebel’s PowerPattern® range of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) panels in the area.

ALAND found the panels aligned with the premium look and feel they wanted for the building's exterior and were encouraged by the strong structural support they provided with their reinforced steel and anticorrosion protection.

As explained by ALAND Founder and Director Andrew Hrsto: “The use of durable and long-lasting materials like these reduces the need for replacement and maintenance as well as producing excellent insulation and reducing the usage of cooling and heating systems.”

ALAND CEO George Tadrosse commented: “Hebel PowerPattern adds an extra element to our projects, and while we as developers appreciate the longevity, ease of construction and structural integrity of the Hebel panels, our customers love the sleek and modern façade. In fact, the feedback we’ve been given from the residents of Schofield Gardens is that the look and feel of the building makes them proud to call it their home, which is extremely gratifying for all our team.”

ALAND Senior Project Manager Estived Rendon added: “We partnered with CSR to ensure that the development ran smoothly from the design stage to the completion of the project. We spent countless hours of R&D to ensure that the system complied with ALAND’s design and requirements to deliver the best product to the residents.”

This flowed through to additional CSR products such as Gyprock®, AFS®, Bradford® Insulation Batts and PGH Brick Systems® that were used in the building. From a sustainability standpoint, the use of Hebel’s PowerPattern® range aligns with ALAND’s mission to build façades that enhance the environment and landscape.

Utilising benefits from the range such as installation efficiencies, acoustic and fire rating/thermal properties and waste reduction, including Hebel’s PowerPattern® panels in their build not only supports ALAND’s considered approach, it also provides residents with a comfortable and sustainable living space they are proud to call home.

Free utilities electricity & cooktop gas

Each apartment was provided with free electricity and gas for 12 months post completion or 3,000 kWH from Energy Trade. This offer helped to make home-ownership more affordable and increased overall customer satisfaction.

To meet the project goal of creating products that deliver value for money for its buyers, the team had to work with an extremely conservative budget, in order to keep the products at accessible price points, without compromising on quality.

Over the years, ALAND has also built a strong working relationship with its long-term supply partners, which have been committed to delivering high-quality products at prices lower than those on the market.

ALAND was then able to pass this benefit directly onto the customer through lower product price points. Given Bottlebrush is located in a ‘greenfield’ site, there were no existing service connections and major work was required to install these essential services, which could have led to rising costs and prolonged construction time.

User Testimonial: “I am proud to call myself a resident of Bottlebrush, Schofields. The decision to live here has not only helped reduce my energy bills, but it also aligns with my personal values of leading an eco-friendly life. The incorporation of solar panels and Tesla battery power into our community has made a huge difference in terms of energy consumption and cost savings."

"Apart from the financial benefits, ALAND’s innovative solution has helped promote a culture of sustainability and eco-friendliness within our community. We are all proud to be part of a development that prioritises the environment and is taking active steps towards a greener future. By using clean energy, we are contributing to the fight against climate change and reducing our carbon footprint.” – Vincent Fahat

Safe working environment

We are in the business of building better communities. We prioritise safety through training, a safe working environment, practices, procedures, risk assessments and efficient incident management.

We will not realise this vision on our own. We see our role as protecting people and the planet through responsible operations – minimising our energy, emissions and water impact, while protecting workers and the environment in our supply chain.

At the same time, we collaborate with community members and sustainability leaders in our industry to innovate beyond what is possible today. We are leveraging our core products and services to enable access to sustainability information and to accelerate action-oriented resources for tomorrow.

We are committed to protecting our people and providing a safe environment for all our employees, suppliers and visitors.

03—PROJECT BOTTLEBRUSH

INITIATIVE 13: GENERAL PERFORMANCE

Project governance

The Bottlebrush project was built in 11 months from acquisition of the land to the final release of the apartments. The project was delivered to a high quality, finished on time, within budget and with no accidents, a testament to good governance.

Although ALAND acquired the site with an existing development approval (DA), it was felt that the overall design and vision of Bottlebrush was lacking and would not meet market expectations nor exceed demands.

Setting out to create a cleaner future and future-proofing the site for blackouts, brownouts and spikes in the market, ALAND management, in partnership with Energy Trade, undertook significant planning with electrical and mechanical engineers to determine the appropriate storage space to fit out specifically for battery storage while remaining on schedule with the project delivery.

Typically, residential developments have a small rooftop footprint however to support the installation of solar panels required for the Tesla Powerwall system, the team were required to maximise the available rooftop space to host the solar panels. Additionally, ALAND felt that the unit layouts and finishes required major revisions. As a result, the development team decided to make significant improvements to the design particularly given the continuing threat of climate change and a more discerning customer base.

The internal design team then moved quickly to undertake a complete review and revision of existing designs, so that they were more in line with the above outcomes, as well as ensuring the overall design and development of Bottlebrush not only demonstrated innovation, but also met sustainability targets.