The Villas - Barossa acknowledges the Ngadjuri, Traditional Custodians of country in the western Barossa, and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and everyday.

One of the guiding principles in the design of this project was a development that was sensitive to our local environment. We’re incredibly grateful to be the current custodians of this land, and we’ve adopted the following environmentally sensitive practices to ensure that The Villas - Barossa continues to be ecologically responsible:

Revegetation of endangered Peppermint Box Grass Woodland

The Ngadjuri people are the traditional custodians of the western Barossa region with Ngadjuri territory extending from Gawler in the south to Orroroo, in the Flinders Ranges to the North. These traditional lands are closely aligned with the range of the Eucalyptus Odorata (Peppermint Box), which explains why the Kaurna people's name for Ngadjuri people is Wirameju, meaning in Kaurna ‘Peppermint Gum forest people’. The Peppermint Box Grassy Woodland of South Australia is nationally listed as a critically endangered ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, with precious remnants of this woodland existing within the Seppeltsfield Road precinct, including the land to the rear of our Villas. In 2021 we commenced a long-term revegetation project of this remnant woodland with the support of a Grassroots Grant from Northern & Yorke Landscape board.

Vineyard Insectary

In 2021 we created an insectary around The Villas vineyard using hundreds of plants indigenous to the Barossa, to enhance local biodiversity, attracting predatory insects to control pests in vineyard. This project was supported by a Grassroots Grant from Northern and Yorke Landscape board.

Villa Design

  • Ecoshelta Villas constructed with fully modular frame and Structural Insulating Panel (SIPS) floor, wall and roofing systems

  • Double glazed windows and use of passive solar design to optimise heating and cooling

  • Use of ceiling fans, 1 metre roof overhangs and cross-ventilation for cooling, with energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioning for temperature extremes

  • Use of energy-efficient lighting (LED & dimmable)

  • Use of solar-powered landscape lighting

  • Rain water captured in tank and used for landscaping irrigation

  • Installation of wastewater treatment facility and reticulation of all treated waste water to landscaping

  • Landscaping with native plants indigenous to Marananga and the Barossa

Produce

  • Using local produce as first priority, and then South Australian products

  • Purchase of food ingredients in bulk whenever possible, minimizing packaging waste

  • Use of bulk, glass storage containers for condiments rather than single-use containers.

  • Use of Barossa Coffee Roasters locally-roasted, organic plunger coffee

  • No single-use coffee pods

Cleaning & Amenities

  • Use of bulk dispensers for Vasse Virgin locally produced amenities rather than single-use containers, thus reducing waste

  • Separation and recycling of plastics, paper, glass, cans, including placing recycling bins in Villas

  • Use of 100% recycled paper for toilet paper, and paper towels

  • Use of non-chemical, natural cleaners (except where COVID safe principles require additional cleaning agents)

  • Cold-water washing and air drying where possible

 Sustainable Tourism

  • The Villas - Barossa is an accredited Sustainable Tourism Business under the Quality Tourism Framework.