Carbon neutral apartment building recommended for approval

The City of Fremantle’s vision to establish the Knutsford precinct as a world class example of sustainable living has taken another step forward after Fremantle Council recommended approval for one of Australia’s first carbon neutral apartment buildings.

The council’s Planning Committee last night voted to recommend approval for the Montreal Commons development on the corner of Montreal Street and Knutsford Street.

The committee’s recommendation will now be considered by the Metro Inner South Joint Development Assessment Panel, which has the final say on the development.

The proposed five-storey development by OP Properties includes 39 apartments, basement car park, landscaped internal courtyard, publicly accessible gardens and play space and a ground floor café.

Sustainability features include 75kW of developer-funded solar panels and battery storage, which will be topped up where required with green energy from the grid, as well as water saving fixtures and fittings and smart metering to monitor water and energy consumption.

Being entirely powered by 100 per cent sustainably sourced electricity will mean Montreal Commons will produce about 240 tonnes less carbon emissions per year, or about 6 tonnes per apartment. It also means apartment owners will benefit from a 50 per cent offset on their strata levies. 

Mayor Brad Pettitt said Montreal Commons was another example of how Fremantle was a world leader in sustainable development.

“As a One Planet council the City of Fremantle is absolutely committed to supporting initiatives that promote a way of living that’s better for us and better for the planet,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Montreal Commons is a great demonstration of how living sustainably can not only save the environment but saves money as well.

“In addition to the sustainability features, about 20 per cent of the apartments have been designed to cater for residents with additional mobility needs like the elderly or people living with disabilities.

“The central courtyard and the shared garden and terrace spaces will also help to create a strong sense of community, not just among residents but also with the broader neighbourhood.

“From the outset the City’s vision has been to transform the Knutsford precinct from an old industrial area into a template for a better way of living, so it’s very exciting to see that vision becoming a reality.” 

The Montreal Commons is the first apartment building proposed within Development WA’s East Village at Knutsford development.

Already under construction at East Village are the first of 36 homes powered by 100 per cent renewable energy using roof top solar panels and a shared community battery.

In an Australian first, a village micro-grid will allow residents to generate and share energy with their neighbours using an innovative energy trading platform.

Another ground-breaking housing project in the Knutsford precinct is the Nightingale Fremantle development on nearby Wood Street.

The Nightingale model aims to construct multi-residential buildings that are produced at below-market rates and incorporate a range of sustainability features and social benefits.

The City of Fremantle is also home to WA’s first One Planet community, WGV at White Gum Valley, while the LIV apartments in central Fremantle have also achieved One Planet accreditation.

The Montreal Commons proposal will be considered by the Joint Development Assessment Panel on Monday.