KOMATSU HYBRID TURNS FIRST SOD IN NEW SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

"Ecco Ripley is aiming to set benchmarks for new town development"

Komatsu’s award-winning Hybrid excavator – with its numerous environmental advantages – was recently selected to turn the first sod for a new sustainable community development west of Brisbane.

Ripley Valley, located 5 km south-east of Ipswich and 40 km west of the Brisbane CBD, is set

to become one of Australia's largest pre-planned communities, ultimately housing 120,000

new residents and an estimated 50,000 homes.

Being developed by Sekisui House, Japan's leading property developer and largest builder of

pre-fabricated sustainable housing, it will take up to 10% of South East Queensland's

population growth over the next 20 years, and provide a vital injection into the South East

Queensland economy.

Sekisui House is master-planning 194 hectares in the urban core of Ripley Valley, to be

known as Ecco Ripley, surrounded by a truly integrated community that will grow over time.

Sekisui House Australia President and Managing Director Toru Abe said the Sekisui House

vision for Ecco Ripley is to create a truly smart and sustainable community that is full of life

and delivers opportunities of and for a lifetime.

"Ecco Ripley is aiming to set benchmarks for new town development, celebrating the best in

collaboration of Japanese and Australian innovation and technology."

Komatsu's Hybrid excavator was chosen for the sod-turning ceremony due to its strong

environmental credentials, including fuel savings of up to 40% compared with conventionally

powered earthmoving equipment.