Mount Barker’s population is set to grow by another 2000 following the announcement of a $350 million, 730-home development.
The 100ha site, to be called Newenham, features a proposed school site, a sports and recreation centre, a community centre, wetlands and a 8ha community farm.
The first stage, a parcel of 17-25ha, will include 200 lots with 50 to 60 being offered each year.
The development, off Flaxley Rd and 2km west of the town centre will be created by Burke Urban, which was responsible for Mount Barker’s Waterford development and the Linear Park Estate on the River Torrens.
Burke Urban chairman and managing direction Kym Burke said the Newenham development was included in the State Government’s 30-year-plan for greater Adelaide and would promote a strong connection between residents and their environment.
“All of our planning and concept and branding of the project has really focused on that wonderful environment and we’re looking to enhance that. All of the trees of the project have been retained”, Mr Burke said.
From a commercial point of view, we see the benefit of the trees and the landscape because the market values it, so why destroy it?
Allotment sizes will range from smaller rear-loading lots of 450sqm up to 1200sqm, with most of the block sizes being around 700sqm. They will be priced from $175,500.
The site includes cottages, a homestead and a 100-year-old pear orchard, which will all be retained and upgraded.
Mr Burke said residents could work with a panel of builders to construct a home with an “Adelaide Hills country feel”.
Mount Barker Mayor Ann Ferguson said she welcomed the development and the council had bought land in Newenham for playing fields.
She also said the council had infrastructure plans in place to accommodate the area’s population growth.
“This is one of those amazing stepping stones that’s going to take us into the future and if we can stage it and manage it’s going to be fantastic,” Ms Ferguson said.
“It’s that rural ambience that is a magnet for a type of family who want to come and be a part of the community.”
Real Estate Institute of South Australia chief executive Greg Troughton said the development was “a vote of confidence” in Mount Barker.
“Clearly there is enough demand in that area to justify that sort of investment,” he said.
The Advertiser article, 2 December 2015, written by Tom Bowden.
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