Advancing sustainability in our retirement villages

In 2025, Lourdes and St Agnes’ Villages continued progressing a structured rooftop solar program, embedding sustainability into long-term asset planning and operational strategy.

The initiative originated from resident advocacy in 2019 and was incorporated into the Parish’s broader master planning process for aged care and retirement living. Following feasibility analysis, stakeholder consultation and Board endorsement, the program formally commenced in 2024 and is now embedded as an annual budgeted initiative.

Driving sustainability and resilience

The rooftop solar program aligns with key organisational priorities, including energy resilience, environmental stewardship and prudent capital management. By reducing exposure to rising electricity costs, particularly during peak summer demand, the program supports both financial sustainability and resident wellbeing in the context of increasing climate volatility.

Rolling out solar across the villages

The program operates through a structured annual ballot process, with the Parish contributing 50% of the installation cost for up to 10 villas each year. This staged delivery model enables responsible capital allocation while incrementally building renewable infrastructure capacity across both villages. Solar installation is also being integrated into refurbishment and capital works planning to support long-term asset optimisation.

A formal Solar Strategy underpins the initiative, guiding technical specifications, procurement standards and risk management oversight to ensure system quality and long-term performance.

Peter Johnson, Executive Manager, Risk, Quality and Continuous Improvement, said the program “reflects our commitment to responsible asset management and environmental sustainability, and shows how resident advocacy can help shape long-term infrastructure planning.”

Outcomes and benefits

Early installations are generating approximately 45-50% of participating villas’ electricity consumption, reducing grid reliance and lowering emissions across the portfolio.

Ray Evans, a long-term resident of St Agnes’ Village and member of the Residents’ Committee Solar Working Group, reflected on the early results:

“It is encouraging to see that participating villas are now generating close to half of their electricity needs through rooftop solar.”

While the program delivers tangible benefits to individual residents, its broader value lies in strengthening the environmental performance of the retirement living portfolio and positioning the organisation to respond proactively to future energy market pressures.

Looking forward

Solar installation continues as a planned annual program. The Parish is also exploring complementary renewable energy initiatives, including battery storage solutions, to further enhance energy independence and sustainability outcomes.

This initiative demonstrates how structured governance, long-term planning and resident collaboration can translate community advocacy into enduring infrastructure outcomes that support both financial and environmental sustainability.