SUSTAINABLE AND RENEWABLE MATERIALS ARE IN VOGUE: SPARKING A-LIST ATTENTION AND FUELLING REAL ESTATE SALES

TheByron hinterland real estate industry is experiencing a surge in sustainable and renewable building materials that are ecofriendly and uniquely stylish. These materials have become a vogue choice, attracting A-list designers, influencers and homeowners, and fuelling sales in the luxury real estate market. Off The Rails (OTR), a local business in Byron Bay, is leading the way in sustainable materials by exclusively supplying reclaimed and recycled timber. Their sustainable materials have become increasingly popular among the largest and wealthiest properties in the region.

OTR has provided sustainable materials to several prestigious properties in the region, including Spell & The Gypsy, Haveli of Byron Bay, The Atlantic Byron Bay, Riverhawk

Ranch, Possum Creek’s Longwood Property, and most notably, The Range Estates, which broke the North Coast house price record at $37 million. For The Range Estates, OTR supplied over 1250 high-quality reclaimed railway sleepers that were used for the entrance, deck, and pathways surrounding the estate. OTR’s commitment to sustainability and quality recently earned them a spot as a finalist for the Northern Rivers Business in Excellence award for sustainability.

Tom and Emma Lane, the owners of The Range Estates, had a strong focus on sustainability during the development of the luxurious farmhouse. Their aim was to create a unique blend of Australian farmhouse with Spanish Finca influences. The property includes a macadamia grove, swimming pool, fire pit, and separate luxury accommodation options. The Estate was designed and built using adaptive reuse principles, with a heavy emphasis on natural and recycled materials. The Lane family sourced materials from various businesses, including OTR. The property’s sale surpassed the previous luxury hinterland market record by 42%, which was set just six months prior at $26 million, and attracted interest from three potential buyers, ultimately selling to an undisclosed purchaser.

OTR ensures that all materials are 100% recycled and reused, and nothing goes to landfill. The company’s use of reclaimed railway materials has become synonymous with luxury and prestige in the region’s real estate market. “We have reached our target of reducing 2,400 tonnes of landfill, securing 31,500 railway sleepers which is equivalent to 100 semi-trailer loads,” he says. The company’s railway sleepers are in high demand as they can last a lifetime, and their reclaimed status makes them a sustainably sound choice. As the preferred material supplier for many luxury homeowners, prestige builders, landscapers, and architects in the region, OTR is sure to continue making waves in the industry. OTR’s commitment to sustainability and quality has helped reduce waste and carbon footprint, while also adding a touch of uniqueness to some of the most significant real estate deals in the area. The company’s sustainable practices and use of reclaimed railway materials have proven that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.