Building places that create positive long-term impact.
Our vision is to attract not only residents but employers too, growing opportunities and shaping sustainable communities. From our humble origins, to breaking new ground, we’re creating Australia’s future.
Our Pillars for Sustainability
Renewables
We always seek out a site’s full renewable energy potential, helping us to lead the way for Victoria’s energy footprint
Emissions
We are introducing more environmentally sustainable practices in our projects.
Accessibility
Prioritising walkability and liveability, while supporting the local economy and building thriving communities
Green Space
Planting trees, parks and gardens to encourage communities to thrive in and enjoy nature
1810 t
CO2 saved per 1000 homes vs gas homes per year
600
For every 1,000 homes, we save the equivalent of taking 600 cars off the road per year
61%
Reduction in energy usage compared to traditional gas homes
100%
Effective rain, hail or shine – around the clock and year round
10M
Enough energy saved to make 10m cups of coffee per year
Geothermal technology
People are at the heart of all our design decisions at St Hilaire. We think long-term, creating future-focused places that will benefit residents and regions.
Our commitment to providing access to truly sustainable solutions continues with the introduction of our cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling district system to the Mitchell Shire. The first of its kind in Australia, our aim is to reduce the heating, cooling, hot water costs and CO2 emissions for all future residents and commercial tenants. By reducing peak loads on the electrical network by 25% (when combined with solar and battery), we’ll create a new benchmark for innovation and sustainability in master-planned greenfield developments in Australia.
To deliver to our vision, working effectively with local and state governments will be critical to drive legislative and policy reform. Government support, along with amendments to the plumbing requirements for new homes will be crucial to enable alternative energy supply and air and ground sourced heat pumps to be installed in new homes, in line with other state’s legislation.
We’re excited that as per our recent submission to the Gas Substitution Roadmap, developers now have the choice to deactivate gas as a requirement for residential land estates. We’re proud to be paving the way forward in sustainable development with this Australian-first project that is set to change the way communities live.
What is geothermal?
Geothermal is a natural way to heat water using the earth’s own energy.
The innovative geothermal system that will underpin our St Hilaire’s community is shallow geothermal. This pioneering system uses bores dug into the earth to create a renewable energy supply. A pipe is fed into the borehole and filled with water, enabling it to absorb the earth’s temperature as a natural heat source. This hot water then runs into a heat pump that supplies each home – from heating and cooling, hot water, radiant floor heating, hydronic wall panels, to heated towel rails and even pool heating.
What do we love about geothermal?
Geothermal is an incredible resource offering a myriad of benefits. Unlike other renewable energy sources such as solar or wind turbines, geothermal isn’t reliant on consistent weather patterns and is effective 24/7, at all times of the year – rain, hail, or shine.
A unique sustainable source of energy, geothermal provides consistent supply with no mining of raw materials or combustion required. It produces very low levels of greenhouse gases unlike alternatives such as gas, standard air conditioners and electric heaters, that rely on large amounts of electricity. Geothermal is a safe technology that’s both quiet and more energy efficient than refrigerated air-conditioning or gas ducted heating.
A proven technology, geothermal is used all around the world and is one of the most environmentally-friendly renewable heating and cooling systems available, according to the USA Environmental Protection Agency.
We’re excited to be at the forefront of creating a ground-breaking environmentally conscious community, bringing geothermal technology to a residential setting as the first of its kind in Australia.
st hilaire, wallan
Our latest community project
Our geothermal community, St Hilaire’s, offers 5,500 homes in the largest landholding in the Wallan South PSP. Currently being fast tracked by the Victorian State Government, this exciting project is on target to lead the way to Victoria’s energy footprint.
*Subject to government approval
Planning for St Hilaire’s is currently in full swing, with modelling for our innovative embedded geothermal network showing impressive outcomes. Results show that a 61% reduction of energy usage will be achieved by 1,000 homes switching from gas to geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water, along with electrical hot plates – that’s a huge 14.1 GW of energy savings every year or 1,960 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2-e) saved annually.
Community
Giving back to the community
Leaving a legacy in our beloved Wallan has had us involved in the development of the Wallan Library, giving back to different community groups and sporting clubs, volunteering at local events and relief centres, free electrical test and tagging services, sponsorships and supporting those effected by the Black Saturday fires.
Contributions
- Wallan was a growing town in 2004, and needed a full time bank. Wally was instrumental with the formation of a steering committee with Bendigo bank to open a community Bank in June 2007. Since then Kilmore and Broadford have been opened the Community bank has given over $3.86 m back to the community out of its profits to over 140 different community groups and sporting clubs. Wally has been a Director, Treasurer and Chairman in that time and is still a Board Member
- We contributed $70,000 to Mitchell Shire Council towards building the opposition change rooms at the Greenhill Reserve.
- We built the Wellington Street Kindergarten and sold it to Mitchell Shire Council at $100,000 under cost of the land and building.
- Building the Wallan Library as part of Wellington Square Shopping Centre Crystal group gave the Mitchell Council 10 years free rent and a second term of 10 years at 50% rental. Wallan needed a Library. Saving Mitchell Shire over $1m in the first term, Crystal Group also donated $40,000 to help stock the Library with books.
- Wally is a life Member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society (WAS) and served as President in 1990, he manages the Egg and Boot throw events at the show and he uses his Tractors and Mowers providing fuel to cut grass at the showgrounds ready for the Show.
- Celina volunteers at the Whittlesea Show Food and Wine Expo
- Wally started a Bus Service in Wallan from the Train to the Shopping Centre in about 2006, and around town, this failed but cost about him $40,000, but the State Government picked up the idea a few months later and today Wallan has great Bus Service. Wally learnt not to run a bus service.
- The Crystal group supplies free electrical test and tagging services to the Whittlesea Show each year.
- Wellington Square sponsors:
- Wallan Women’s basketball Club
- Community Radio station OKR FM
- The Kilmore Art Show
- And many other local charities.
- The Crystal group also sponsor the Whittlesea Lions Rotary Golf day with teams and Balls, and the Yarrambat Ladies Golf Club with sponsorship and prizes.
- The Crystal Group provided free factory storage for the huge amount of donated Pet and Vet supplies that the The Vet Practice was involved with.
- Crystal Group donated a factory to the Salvation Army in Whittlesea for 6 months to house donations.
- Wally provided housing for a family that lost their house in the Black Saturday Fires till they were able to build a new one.
- Lisa volunteered at the Kinglake relief centre after the Black Saturday fires
- Waiver of rent for affected retail tenants whose homes were lost in Black Saturday fires.
Infrastructure
- Wallan was a growing town in 2004, and needed a full time bank. Wally was instrumental with the formation of a steering committee with Bendigo bank to open a community Bank in June 2007. Since then Kilmore and Broadford have been opened. The Community bank has given over $3.86 m back to the community out of its profits to over 140 different community groups and sporting clubs. Wally has been a Director, Treasurer and Chairman in that time and is still a Board Member
- Crystal Group contributed $70,000 to Mitchell Shire Council towards building the opposition change rooms at the Greenhill Reserve.
- Crystal Group built the Wellington Street Kindergarten and Sold it to Mitchell Shire C at $100,000 under cost of land and building.
- Building the Wallan Library as part of Wellington Square Shopping Centre Crystal group gave the Mitchell Council 10 years free rent and a second term of 10 years at 50% rental. Wallan needed a Library. Saving Mitchell Shire over $1m in the first term, Crystal Group also donated $40,000 to help stock the Library with books.
Engagement
- Wally is a life Member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society (WAS) and served as President in 1990, he manages the Egg and Boot throw events at the show and he uses his Tractors and Mowers providing fuel to cut grass at the showgrounds ready for the Show.
- Celina volunteers at the Whittlesea Show Food and Wine Expo
Initiatives
- Wally started a Bus Service in Wallan from the Train to the Shopping Centre in about 2006, and around town, this failed but cost about him $40,000, but the State Government picked up the idea a few months later and today Wallan has great Bus Service. Wally learnt not to run a bus service.
- The Crystal group supplies free electrical test and tagging services to the Whittlesea Show each year.
Sponsorships
- Wellington Square sponsors:
- Wallan Women’s basketball Club
- Community Radio station OKR FM
- The Kilmore Art Show
- And many other local charities.
- The Crystal group also sponsor the Whittlesea Lions Rotary Golf day with teams and Balls, and the Yarrambat Ladies Golf Club with sponsorship and prizes.
Black Saturday Fires
- The Crystal Group provided free factory storage for the huge amount of donated Pet and Vet supplies that the The Vet Practice was involved with.
- Crystal Group donated a factory to the Salvation Army in Whittlesea for 6 months to house donations.
- Wally provided housing for a family that lost their house in the Black Saturday Fires till they were able to build a new one.
- Lisa volunteered at the Kinglake relief centre after the Black Saturday fires
- Waiver of rent for affected retail tenants whose homes were lost in Black Saturday fires.
