Eco-friendly floating house launched on Hawkesbury River
A RADICAL new high-end floating home on the Hawkesbury River has been unveiled as an eco-friendly solution to the Central Coast’s housing affordability woes.
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A RADICAL new high-end floating home on the Hawkesbury River has been unveiled as an eco-friendly solution to the Central Coast’s housing affordability woes.
Sitting on stabilisers holding up to 35 tonnes, the two-level, one-bedroom “Waterlily” is believed to be the first of its kind in Sydney and Coast waterways after its official opening at the weekend.
“This is like nothing you’ve seen before,” Waterlily property manager Michelle Gauci said.
“It features floor-to-ceiling glass, floating floorboards, stainless-steel appliances, a barnacle-free hull (made from Polyurethane), a spiral staircase, 360-degree views, all luxury items, and it can comfortably sleep four people.
“The designer/builder (Ed Petersen) has been an architect for over 30 years, working on major constructions including work for the 2000 Olympics.
“He wanted to make an affordable way of living for families and he’s also very concerned about the environment.
“It’s been 16 years in the works, and there have been lots of legal hoops to jump through (with the Roads and Maritime Services).”
Among its eco-friendly features, the $240,000 Brooklyn home has a water desalination plant on it, turning 120 litres of seawater into fresh drinking water per hour.
“It also has solar panels and a sewerage and waste system so it doesn’t pollute the waters,” Ms Gauci said.
She said the unique home had been built “so each corner balances and never tilts”.
“It is a floating oasis and makes you relax and take in the natural surrounds around you. It has a beautiful aura,” Ms Gauci said.
It’s being let out on popular accommodation booking portal Airbnb for $750 per night and $1400 for a weekend.
“We were getting bookings while it was being built,” Ms Gauci said.
“A guy has booked it in February because he wants to propose to his girlfriend on it.
“And there are more of these floating homes in the works. The next one will be at Koolewong’s new marina, and it will be bigger and have a bar on board.
“You can add pods to the home, but two clicked on would be the limit.
“It’s something new for Sydney and the Central Coast, and an eco-friendly way of solving the housing affordability problems.”
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