Sick of paying soaring power prices, semi-retired couple Bill Harrison and Joy Tragardh have “gone off-grid”.
The couple is among the first residents to move into Australia’s first-ever over-50s golf and residential community, Halcyon Greens, part of a $250 million master-planned development at Pimpama.
As a house-warning gesture, the couple were driven to their new Tesla battery-powered home in the northern Gold Coast suburb in a Tesla Model S.
“Buying a Tesla-operated home makes a lot of sense,” Mr Harrison said.
“As we looked further into the cost and environmental benefits of a Tesla-powered home, it reinforced that we made the right decision and we’re very happy and excited about moving in.”
Ms Tragardh said the fact they were also able to purchase a home in a community with no exit fees was a major drawcard.
Their neighbour, Barry Dempsey, also did his research before buying his environmentally-
friendly home with the aim of achieving a more cost-effective lifestyle.
“It’s great to move into a new house with space,” he said, after living in a caravan on a mate’s property.
“I knew I wanted to live in an eco-friendly home and was looking at solar and wind-powered technology before I discovered the Tesla-powered homes on offer at Halcyon, and I was sold.
“Halcyon offered exactly what I was looking for all in one package, plus I’ll be living on a golf course. That’s the dream.
The arrival of the first residents comes as Halcyon Greens, which is nestled next to the Gainsborough Greens golf course, opens its display village.
The Halcyon Greens recreational area includes 2.4ha of parkland, clubhouse, outdoor and heated indoor pool, championship-size bowling green, floodlit tennis court, cinema, gym and dance studio, outdoor amphitheatre and walking trails.
There is also an 18 hole golf course and residents have access to a work shed, herb and vegetable garden rose garden and fruit orchard, as well as storage facilities for boats, golf buggies and caravans.
Halcyon joint managing director Bevan Geissmann said the arrival of the first residents was a major milestone for Halcyon Greens – the developer’s seventh and largest project in southeast Queensland.
He said the optional inclusion of Tesla technology had proven popular with buyers.
“It’s proved to be a popular choice with purchasers who are very conscious of the financial and environmental implications of an innovative battery power system,” he said.
Homes at Halcyon Greens also include features such as wider doorways and hobless shower stalls that make homes easier to enter, move around and to modify as a person’s mobility needs change.
Originally Published: www.weeklytimesnow.com.au