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 Mount Barker chosen for landmark residential development One of Australia’s leading developers has confirmed his confidence in South Australia’s property market with a new residential development that raises the bar in modern sustainable living. Lang Walker of Walker Corporation is teaming with local developer DayCorp Pty Ltd, headed by Dean Day, on a $150 million master-planned development at Mount Barker. The 835 lot development, named Bluestone, has a major focus on the environment and quality lifestyle, with extensive parklands and landscaping in keeping with the Adelaide Hills. Walker Corporation’s project development manager Humfrey Whitaker said about 16 hectares of the 95 hectare development will be devoted to parkland and green space, and there will be four kilometres of walking trails. “We’ve been working with Mount Barker District Council and its officers to ensure that Bluestone is of the highest quality and delivers significant benefit to the local community,” Mr Whitaker said. “In planning this development we’ve looked at sustainability, parkland and open space, extensive landscaping, the very latest communications technology for internet connectivity and design guidelines for all housing to ensure a high standard of construction and complementary building styles. “We’re offering a taste of hills living but with all the benefits of a modern cosmopolitan lifestyle.” Mr Whitaker said the developers were investigating ratings systems with groups such as the Green Building Council of Australia and leading builders with the aim of ensuring the homes meet specific sustainable living criteria. “There are currently no industry-wide standards for this so we hope to lead the way,” he said. “Several initiatives already agreed will be above current five-star regulatory requirements, such as the size of rainwater tanks, solar hot water heaters, gas cooktops, and the use of low-embodied energy materials.” The development is located next to Hurling Drive and features a range of block sizes that average about 600-700 square metres. All are positioned to maximise views and access to parklands and open space. About $8 million is being spent on landscaping and approximately 400 mature trees, ranging in size from six to eight metres, will be planted as part of stage one. An announcement on a development application for the first stage of Bluestone is expected to be made by the council’s Development Assessment Panel today (Wednesday, November 14). “Our discussions with the District Council of Mount Barker have been about ensuring Bluestone evolves as a flagship Walker Corporation project in South Australia – one that complements the existing residential environment,” Mr Whitaker said. It’s the second time this year that Walker Corporation and DayCorp have joined for a major development in South Australia. In February they announced an 8000-home development at Buckland Park, between Virginia and Port Gawler. Mr Day said the Bluestone project would provide a considerable financial injection for the Mount Barker community, with local contractors and suppliers to be used during the development phase. “DayCorp has been active in the Mount Barker area for more than 15 years, developing various residential estates. The scale and diversity of Bluestone underpins the popularity of Adelaide Hills living,” he said. “More specifically it confirms the enormous growth of Mount Barker, which is one of the nation’s fastest growing inland towns.” The joint venture partners purchased the land from three farmers last year. The first stage of the project will be released following development approval and a display village featuring homes by a selection of Adelaide’s premier builders is planned to be opened in late 2008. This will include an eco-home display incorporating the latest environmental housing technologies. Mount Barker real estate director James Sexton, of Remax, has been appointed the principle agent. He said he had already received several expressions of interest and expected the lots to be taken up quickly. Walker Corporation currently has more than 30,000 lots in the development pipeline throughout Australia. Previous developments nationally include Rhodes Waterside, The Wharf at Woolloomooloo and Balmain Cove in Sydney, Hope Island Resort in Queensland and Banksia Grove in Western Australia. “Walker Corporation has a national portfolio of quality developments and we pride ourselves on delivering projects that add value to their communities,” Mr Whitaker said. |
 10/04/07Bluestone Mt Barker Tree Safety 17/12/07Strong interest in Bluestone development 14/11/07Mount Barker chosen for landmark residential development |
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