Page 4 - BOL Dec 21 Edition

Designing the best home for the

Moreton Bay climate is easy

Moreton Bay Regional Council this week released two new home “We’re reshaping our planning for the region and this also
and living guides to get people thinking about smart design, means encouraging better house design to create a more
climate efficiency and affordable living ideas, before they start liveable and sustainable region—it’s one of the things our
building their dream home. residents love most about this area,” he said.

Mayor Peter Flannery said living affordability and housing These guidelines are aimed at helping people to ask the right
affordability go hand in hand—you know how much your house questions of their house designer and builder before they make
and land package is going to cost you, but do you think about the big decisions like building a home, including:
future running costs of your home and if the design will meet the
lifestyle you want? • Is my house designed with privacy in mind?
• Will my air conditioning and heating costs be high?
“Moreton Bay residents are demanding a return to decent-sized • Will my windows let in cooling breezes and warming
back yards with room to grow a tree, space for the kids to run natural light?
around and a private place to enjoy the best climate in the world. • Will I have space to grow a tree or some vegies?
• Is there enough space to have friends over for a BBQ?
“The design of some homes just aren’t meeting the everyday living • Is the backyard big enough for the kids play equipment or
needs of our residents; they aren’t taking advantage of natural for the dog to run around?
ventilation and simple shading techniques that are right for our
climate, so people need to rely on constant air-conditioning to “There’s so much to love about Moreton Bay so it’s no surprise
keep cool in the summer months. people are moving here in droves.

“Our home and living guidelines are full of practical tips and “We want our next generation homes and neighbourhoods to
smart ideas for people building or renovating their dream home. be better for our residents and better for the region and it’s the
homes we choose to build that will make for great streets and
“Making smart choices at the start can save you money in the contribute to the local character of our neighbourhoods.
long run, improve your year-round comfort and a home that’s
consistent with the Moreton Bay and Queensland character. “We are one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, so by
2041 we’ll need an additional 88,000 houses to cater for the
“Designing your home with the Moreton Bay climate and lifestyle 690,000 people that will call Moreton Bay home, that’s around
in mind doesn’t mean blowing the budget. 4,500 new homes every year.

“Your next generation home guideline provides valuable tips for “Building a home is a big investment so you need to make every
achieving affordable housing design, cheaper energy bills and design decision count.
making it more functional for all occupants.
“So, if you’re thinking about building or renovating a home
“Thinking about the design of your home so it can adapt to the in the Moreton Bay Region, please read our home and living
changing life stages of your family with the ability to integrate guides before you start planning and building,” Mayor Flannery
new technologies can future proof your home and result in a said.
greater return on your investment.

“Our residents have said they expect us to deliver a well-planned
region, and this is one way we are working to achieve this.