Sustainability and Liveability: Residents' experience of the Ecohome in Melbourne

The traditional housing type in Australia is low density housing and is considered unsustainable. In recent times, Melbourne has experienced master planned housing in outer suburban growth areas leveraged by VicUrban. The 'Ecohome' was built as a research and demonstration house in a recently developed housing estate ('Cairnlea estate') located to the north-west of Melbourne. The Ecohome is a two storied standard brick veneer house added with additional 'off the shelf sustainable features. The uptake of sustainability in the mainstream housing market has not been widespread. In this context, sustainability and liveability of the Ecohome was assessed through conducting periodic interviews with the residents living in the Ecohome. Also a quantitative assessment of electricity, gas and water usage is reported. Resident's experience of a sustainable house may widely vary depending on the type of consumer. The Ecohome residents (average to green consumer) expressed mixed feelings about the performance of the Ecohome. In particular, they admired some features such as the rainwater tank and hotwater system while not appreciative of some other features. Overall the outcomes were positive.