Construction has started on the first masterplanned community in Melbourne’s newest residential greenfield growth corridor, Pakenham East, at Lendlease’s Averley.
Set on 113-hectares within the Pakenham East PSP, Averley will deliver around 1,500 homes for a projected population of 4,400 residents, 20 hectares of parklands and wetlands, four planned
schools, a community town centre and an additional shopping centre nearby.
Lendlease’s Head of Communities in Victoria, Anne Jolic, was joined by several soon-to-be residents as they participated in a ceremonial sod-turn on the site of their future neighbourhood.
Ms Jolic said Lendlease will undertake more than $151 million of new infrastructure works, including new roads and intersections.
“We’ll also deliver a one-hectare park and playground ready in time for when the first residents move in,” she said.
“Averley provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy a rural lifestyle that makes the most of the natural surrounds while still feeling connected to the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.”
Targeting a Six Star Green Star Communities rating, Averley will provide fibre optic network connection to all homes, low energy streetlights and recycled water to each home.
With a range of house and land options, the new community has already proven popular among buyers, with the first land releases of 54 lots selling within 30 minutes late last year.
Dominique Gohr, local resident, and recent Averley landowner said she was excited to be at the sod turning.
“We decided to buy in Averley because we love being in the Pakenham area, and we went with Lendlease because it has a great reputation for developing communities that really care,” she said.
“We were lucky enough to buy a lot that is right next to the park, which is very exciting because I have a little one, and she loves a good playground. We also managed to buy quite a large lot – it was really important for us to have a nice big backyard, and it was at a good price so we’re really happy with it.”
Following the State Government’s approval of the Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) in 2021, the booming greenfield growth corridor is set to provide 1,300 new jobs and will add more than $1 billion to the Victorian economy over the coming years.
Located 65km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, Averley will offer a rural lifestyle while remaining in proximity to the city, positioned just five minutes’ drive from the future East Pakenham Train
station.
The first residents are expected to move in by mid-2023.
