Published on Wednesday, 9 July 2025 at 9:38:00 AM

With Perth’s ever-changing climate, many Vincent residents are building homes that feature natural cooling, warming and ventilation elements.

Vincent’s award-winning priority assessment service, GreenTrack, provides faster approvals and design consultations to help homeowners make their home more sustainable.

The service also offers two rebates worth $200 for applications that are submitted with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and retains significant trees.

Homes delivered through GreenTrack produce 82 per cent fewer Life Cycle carbon emissions and use 65 per cent less net fresh water than the average Perth home.

These important savings significantly reduce each home’s impact on climate change, create greater drought resilience and lowers water bills.

North Perth resident Natalie Dean, who works for sustainable construction company Sanus Build, said Vincent’s service showed real leadership and was a great step forward.

“GreenTrack offers priority assessment, LCA subsidies, and access to expert advice — all of which can meaningfully support performance-driven homes during the approvals process,” she said.

“It’s not necessarily the first step, but it’s a powerful tool to formalise and strengthen environmental commitments.”

Ms Dean said her home on Eton Street, also known as The Wetland, was approved before GreenTrack was launched but aligned closely to its values.

The Wetland was also featured in this year’s Sustainable House Day, run by non-profit organisation Renew.

Key features of the home include:

• elevated garden beds

• airtight construction using internal and external wraps

• wood fibre insulation panels

• HRV mechanical ventilation

• passive design with abundant natural light through skylights and glazed openings

• low-VOC finishes and sustainable materials

• solar power

• EV charging infrastructure

• heat pump hot water system

• double-glazed uPVC glazing

• Rockcote Lime Plaster facades and Microstone in all wet areas and external feature wall

• envirocrete concrete

• LED lighting

• three soak wells for stormwater management

• high-grade acoustic insulation

Ms Dean worked with her colleague Jordan Elrick, Vincent, architect and engineer to ensure smooth approvals and a seamless delivery.

“We wanted a home that was deeply responsive — to the climate, to the site, and to how we live,” she said.

“The goal was to reduce operational energy, maximise natural comfort and deliver long-term environmental performance.

“Working with Sanus Build, we created a lightweight, timber-framed home and centred around biophilic design.”

Ms Dean said the home was quiet, thermally stable and light-filled so her family rarely needed to use heating or cooling.

“The netted void, aperture skylights, and light well bring sunlight deep into the home,” she said.

“We have filtered fresh air thanks to HRV ventilation, excellent insulation, and low running costs.

“It’s a home that feels grounded, performs quietly, and supports daily life with ease.”

Ms Dean hoped to see more sustainable homes, even on small and constrained blocks like hers, in her neighbourhood.

“We’d love to see more builds embrace performance-led design, low-impact materials, and native, waterwise landscaping tailored to thrive in local conditions,” she said.

“The more we prioritise sustainable construction and design, the more resilient and liveable our neighbourhoods will become.”

GreenTrack is aligned with the Sensitive Design priority of Vincent’s Strategic Community Plan 2022-2032, as it encourages sustainable urban housing developments around the city.

Visit Vincent’s sustainable design webpage to find out more about GreenTrack.

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