Councillor Greg Westman officiated at the opening, congratulating council for its forward thinking and involvement in the project.

He said Bathurst Regional Council is the only council in NSW to be involved in a project of this kind.

As hundreds of people came through the doors between 10am and 4pm, Councillor Westman said he had received plenty of positive feedback about the house.

“The feedback has been fantastic.”

“And we’ve had people from all backgrounds here; young families, elderly couples, builders coming to see how it’s done,” he said.

Councillor Westman said the lifestyle house was an important environmental education project for Bathurst.

“It will provide residents, builders and all interested parties with a working example of sustainable residential design, construction and operation.”

Dick Clarke, who designed the home, said it was built on a budget of $350,000, which is typical for a four-bedroom home.

Mr Clarke said the secret to environmental design is passive design.

He said there were seven key elements to passive design which include the house’s orientation, zones, thermal mass, shading, insulation, ventilation and glazing.

“It’s really common sense when you go through it.

“It’s not rocket science, it’s just a matter of getting rid of the old way of thinking,” he said.

Yesterday’s opening coincided with National Sustainable House Day.

Following the official launch regular open days will be held at the house to allow the public access to the facility.