Homes that look like hobbit houses could be the future of living in Goonellabah - if a new development goes ahead according to plan.

Platypus Park at 805 Ballina Road is set to become “a new way to live with nature” and features 90 dome shaped homes, built into the landscape and covered with soil. They use 75% less energy to heat and cool, have a year-round internal temperature of about 22 degrees, recycle grey water and have a life expectancy of 300 years.

The development is the brainchild of Lismore local John McMahon. John is passionate about underground homes and said when he found the land on Ballina Road, it was perfect for his vision.

“I’d been working on the idea of underground homes for years and I could see there was something better on offer in building them – especially for cooling, heating and insulation advantages - and these homes are totally fireproof.

“I partnered with Green Magic Homes who had the architects and know how, so we could build some properties."

The site

John said the Ballina Road site was an infill site and not an easy site to build on.

“It’s very steep,” John said. “Building brick and tile house construction would be cost prohibitive, but these underground homes are built into the contours and slopes of the site. It’s very different to other residential subdivisions.

“Some of the homes are 40 metres long and are actually so strong, you can drive a semi trailer on top - and you won’t be looking into neighbour's windows as the build takes advantage of the topography.”

Inside the homes, the rooms have high ceilings and big windows and John said people living these wouldn’t need to use air conditioning in the hot summer.

“We propose to sell it as a house and land package,” John said. “We will build uniform hedge fencing between homes, instead of colorbond fences – and they will be animal proof for dogs.

Hobbitville

“It will look a bit like Hobbitville in New Zealand – where your view is rolling green hills.

“It will be the first subdivision housing estate in the world to be built entirely out of homes like this.

“People can still have creativity with their gardens and land, build patios or pools, but there will be uniform driveways.”

John said the site joins a Goonellabah industrial area and Tucki Tucki Creek, which he said is going to be used as a feature of the development.

Magical

“It will be magical, because Platypus Park will link up with the forested Birdwing Butterfly Park and walk,” he said. “It’s only a few hundred metres through to Kadina Street and we also propose to go through to Oliver avenue.

“The development will also feature observatory decks where you can see the creek and watch the platypus and fish swimming.”

“I’m excited about it.

“It’s only in the early stages and the Development Approval is lodged with Council at the moment – but we have already had over 600 enquiries about it and some people want contracts already.”

Cost

John said the cost of a home at Platypus park would be about 20% more expensive than a conventional home, starting at $500,000. There are options for homes with two to four bedrooms each.

Green Magic Homes

Glenn Stevenson, the founder of Green Magic Homes said there are five main designs of homes available and they are hoping to soon get a display home built.

"Green Magic Homes has been building homes like this for 18 years and has built houses over the world," he said.

Even season six of the TV show “Building off the grid” has featured one of their houses being built.

Glenn said the dome shape of the homes made them the strong and meant the homes did not need internal supports.

Recycled

“They are built using recycle PET plastic bottle resin to create a shell that looks like fibreglass,” he said. “The pieces of dome look like lego that we put together when we build.

“They are treated with fire retardant so they can’t burn, which also makes them resistant to bushfires. The tops of the domes are sealed with three sealants and have a membrane over the top then covered with earth.

“It’s a passive house and uses 75% less energy to heat and cool.

“When you are inside, you notice the grandeur and height and see the light reflect off the roof and it creates lighting effects.

Unique

“It’s perfect for people who want to be unique and not have a big ecological footprint, with a home with a long life expectancy and is energy efficient

“You never have to paint the roof or fix the tiles and there are no gasses or toxic fumes released, like when other buildings like earth ships break down.

“We also use clay based paints -no acrylics. So that’s great for people who are sensitive to toxins and who need to change the way we live

“With lots of circulating air, it’s better for our health and psyche as well as being unique and beautiful.”

To find out more about Platypus Park, visit http://www.platypus-park.com.au/