GREEN DREAM: McCormack Barber agent Robert Nevins is taking options for blocks of land in the new green-themed Robindale Downs housing estate to be established off Leeds Parade early next year. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 1024land
The developers of a new 311-block housing estate off Leeds Parade will encourage homeowners to go green - in a first for Orange.
Work to establish the first 30 blocks of the development will begin early next year, and with house and land packages on offer the developers hope all buyers build environmentally-sustainable homes.
Prices start at $150,000 for land only.
The estate, between Charles Sturt University and the Northern Distributor, is a joint project between Orange builder Mick Fabar and Bathurst builder Bruce Hackett, and will be named Robindale Downs.
“They’ve got the right site to promote energy efficient and sustainable homes,” McCormack Barber agent Robert Nevins said.
“Especially with power prices going the way they are, it will strike a chord with purchasers.”
With average block sizes of about 750 square metres, Mr Nevins says the upmarket subdivision will signal a return to decent sized residential developments, while retaining a rural outlook.
“One of the things we’ll be encouraging people to do, because they’ve got the block size, is to stop this business of everyone’s eaves touching,” he said.
“We want to give that feeling of space.
“We’re seeing quite a lot of blocks coming down to 450 to 500 square metres which defeats the purpose of living in Orange or any regional town.”
Mr Nevins said environmentally friendly homes are now no more expensive than traditional buildings.
“A lot of it is just smart planning,” he said.
“It’s about incorporating a design that will be able to be energy efficient as well as using materials that will provide adequately for heating and cooling.”
Dual occupancies are expected to be kept at a minimum in the estate with the focus firmly on single dwellings.
Mr Nevins said the estate would go someway to fulfil the shortage of good quality, decent sized housing blocks in Orange.
“We’ll have more coming on to the market next year, but there has been a shortfall for at least 12 to 18 months,” he said.
At present there are no plans for green space or parks in the estate, but Mr Nevins said the final layout will change in line with council requirements.
Mr Nevins said the developers are taking options on the first stage now with construction times dependent on the processing of the development application (DA).
“The DAs are two weeks away from being lodged,” he said.
“It’s been ongoing since 2007 it’s taken a long while to come to fruition.”
With first home owners now entitled to a $15,000 grant when purchasing or building a new home, Mr Nevins said some may buy in the estate, but are unlikely to have a big impact.
“We haven’t seen any increased action because of the grant,” he said.
“First home buyers only account for about 15 per cent of the market.”
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au