THE CANBERRA TIMES
Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Canberra business redeveloping the Belconnen Markets will be among the first Australian companies to receive Mitsubishi’s new electric car. The Rock Development Group is one of 28 members of Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV foundation group, which has won the right to lease the innovative electric city-cars. The group includes the federal departments of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, state governments in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, and capital city councils. Other businesses to receive an i-MiEV will include Google, Energex, LeasePlan and Carsales.com.

Mitsubishi Australia chief executive Masahiko Takahashi said demand for the vehicles had been high. ‘‘The last 12 months have seen Mitsubishi conduct Australian trials of the vehicle with hundreds of potential owners, including local, state and federal government bodies, and major fleet operators, and the feedback from these test drives has been very positive,’’ Mr Takahashi said. ‘‘However, the proof of Australia’s acceptance of the electric vehicle comes down to whether people are ready to purchase the vehicle and there is no doubt that they are. ‘‘We have three times as many applicants as vehicles at this point.’’ Mitsubishi announced 40 vehicles would initially be available, prompting applications for more than 100 vehicles from 40 companies, it said. Rock  Development Group director Maria Efkarpidis said the i-MiEV car would be the first in a planned fleet of electric vehicles. Mrs Efkarpidis said the redeveloped Belconnen Fresh Food Markets would be the first in the ACT to cater for electric cars, with electric plug-in points in the car park. The i-MiEV was released in Japan in July 2009. It uses a large-capacity lithium-ion battery system and a compact, high-output electric motor in place of a traditional petrol engine.

The motor produces 47 kilowatts of power and boasts a top speed of 130km/h and a range of about 160km. It has zero emissions and based on current electricity prices will cost between $2.50 and
$4 to charge. Charging takes seven hours using a cable that plugs into a standard electricity socket, although the car also features a special highspeed charging outlet to allow for an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes using a special fastcharge station. An early production version was  brought to Australia last year for the motoring media to drive and, apart from the lack of any  engine noise, performed just like a conventional vehicle of similar size and configuration.

Its dash was a little different, featuring a digital speedo and a gauge that showed how much power was being used or, under braking, being returned to the car’s batteries. Mr Takahashi said with 85 per cent of commuters in urban Australia travelling fewer than 100km each day, the i-MiEV was an excellent solution to reducing a driver’s environmental footprint.

The Rock Development Group’s redevelopment at the Belconnen Markets will create a vibrant new precinct, right in the heart of Belconnen.

Using previously vacant land behind the existing markets on Belconnen Way and Benjamin Way, five new buildings will be created with office, retail and residential spaces. New cafes, restaurants, retail outlets, parkland, offices and apartments will be centred on a refurbished Belconnen Fresh Food Markets to create a lively precinct where people can come to live, work, meet and play.

The precinct will include leading environmental sustainability technologies including electric vehicle plug in points, large scale solar microgeneration systems, geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, integrated rainwater and waste water management systems and precinct wide energy management systems.

Everything will be at your fingertips at the new precinct and with an energetic community atmosphere. Retail spaces will open onto communal spaces and parkland, cafes and restaurants will provide alfresco dining opportunities. Shared social and active spaces will include bbq areas, communal vegetable gardens, rooftop gardens and sporting facilities.

At a glance

new retail spaces

new offices

338 new apartments

2 parks and other shared facilities including BBQs and rooftop gardens

Due for completion in 2014

Fri 2 Jul, 2010
Future Green Leaders of Australia
Source: http://www.futuregreenleaders.org.au/news.asp?articleID=3091

The Rock Development Group's $130 million redevelopment of the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets will not only set the benchmark for sustainable communities - it also aims to inspire people to live healthy lives.

As the principal sponsor of the Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star Communities rating tool, the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets precinct will set the benchmark for rating sustainable communities and precincts across Australia.

The sustainable features of the new development will include: electric vehicle plug-in points, large scale grid connected photovoltaics, geothermal heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, integrated rainwater and wastewater treatment systems, waste reduction and recovery including commercial composting services, a community wide energy management system, naturally ventilated offices and pedestrian friendly communal spaces.

Maria Efkarpidis, a Director of the Rock Development Group, says the company is passionate about sustainability and a keen advocate of healthy living.

"We believe healthy living and sustainable practices are integrally connected. It's about setting an example for future generations," Maria said.

For years the Belconnen Markets has been renowned as one of Canberra's best sources of fresh food. Promoting healthy eating has played an important part. The Markets even host cooking classes and competition, sporting and active kids' programs to help promote active lifestyles.

Maria believes while eating healthily is an important aspect of healthy living, there are other things to consider.

"To me, living healthily is not just eating healthily, it's about living life to its fullest. We want to encourage people to be active, have a good work/life balance, spend time with family and friends, and take care of each other and the environment.

"The existing Belconnen Markets has an incredible community feeling to it. When there are kids playing on the giant mushroom playground, performances on the piazza and people bustling through the shops, there is an unbeatable atmosphere.

"We want the new Belconnen Markets precinct to capture and expand on the existing sense of community and promote healthy living. There will be lots of shared spaces and gardens, sporting facilities, cafes and shops for people to enjoy, all within walking distance.

"Our goal is to develop something where people come to live, work, meet and play for generations to come," Maria said.

The 40,000 square metre redevelopment is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Source: http://www.futuregreenleaders.org.au/news.asp?articleID=3091