Mark Stephens, Stockland

Mark Stephens joined Stockland in 2007 and leads sustainability planning, environmental management, infrastructure delivery and community development for one of Australia’s largest master planned communities, Aura.  Mark’s industry experience spans over 20 years in Property Development with qualifications in Environmental Science and Landscape Architecture fuelling his passion for delivering sustainable communities

Abstract:
Aura is a city building project being developed by Stockland over 2,300ha of previously cleared land located on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast within the Pumicestone Passage Catchment. Traditional approaches to urban development have been elevated at Aura ensuring sustainability and protection of the environment is front of mind. Key elements include Aura’s approach to total water cycle management (both in construction and operational phases of the project) and the focus on achieving a net gain in biodiversity, rehabilitating up to 700ha of coastal habitat for rare and threatened species including acid frogs. Working closely with the community, Aura is setting new benchmarks demonstrating that urban development can occur within close proximity to sensitive receiving environments, accommodating important population growth needs for the region whilst protecting the environment