Building boom still hits home

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM land is again being turned into millions of dollars in development as plans move ahead for major new residential estates.
Cardinia Shire Council last week agreed to prepare an amendment to its planning scheme allowing for a 450500 lot housing estate to be built on a 46hectare parcel of land in Thewlis Road.
The move came on the back of an announcement by Brisbanebased property group Devine that land it recently bought in Syme Road was planned to become a $50 million housing estate.
Several other housing estates are also underway or in preparation stage as Pakenham’s population is forecast to double in the next five to 10 years.
The 20hectare Devine development will be known as Orchard Valley. The land was bought earlier this year for a reported $6.5 million.
Devine plans to build 180 homes on the site with lots ranging in size from 320 to 600 square metres.
Devine’s Victorian manager Sean Lefoe said the estate would target first and second homebuyers. House and land packages, including landscaping, are expected to start from $230,000.
Mr Lefoe said work on the estate would start almost immediately with display homes coming soon.
“We expect to have a temporary sales office established by the end of October,” he said.
The Pakenham development represents Devine’s biggest housing development in Melbourne’s fringe suburbs.
The group announced earlier this year it was looking for new sites in Victoria.
Before the Pakenham buy, Devine had 10 housing estates in Victoria and one of Melbourne’s largest apartment developments.
Mr Lefoe said Devine was excited about the prospects of Pakenham.
“It’s part of the growth corridor, we believe Orchard Valley is a sensational spot and our focus will be on affordable housing,” he said.
The Thewlis Rd development, opposite the Delfin Lakeside at Pakenham estate, is expected to eventually be home to more than 1000 residents, a similar population to Gembrook. Council officers said Thewlis Rd would need upgrading to cope with the extra traffic. Traffic lights may also be installed at the intersection with the Princes Highway.
The request to rezone the land from rural to residential was made on behalf of Central Equity Land Corporation.
Bunyip Ward councillor Helen Ward said the planning amendment was the first step in the development.
“Council and the community can take comfort that all necessary checks and balances will be in place,” she said.
A small local activity centre and a primary school are proposed as part of the subdivision.
Another eastwest road connecting the area with Officer is also likely.