IT hit rock and suffered setbacks from the hammering work needed as a result, but Shiralee’s first subdivision will be registered on Monday.
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The milestone will mean blocks can be built on and work is expected to be well under way by Christmas.
One Agency director Ash Brown, who has been selling the lots, said it was exciting news.
“Prior to building, all the landscaping and footpaths had to be in so the streets will look finished from day one and people don’t have to wait,” he said.
“It looks fantastic – especially with the wide streets, it just feels more special.”
All 17 lots in the first stage have been sold, while the 43 in the second and third stages are still on the market and expect to be registered next year.
“We’re selling quite a few in there,” Mr Brown said.
He said the housing plans he had seen were a mix of modern and traditional.
“There’s some really interesting designs and people are trying to think outside the square,” he said.
“It will take time, but people will start to see this is going to be a beautiful suburb.”
Shiralee won planning and public practice awards for its masterplan in 2014, which featured a return to grid street layouts and waterways enhanced by parks, rather than bulldozed.
The first sod was turned on the first subdivision in June last year and building work was expected by early this year.
But contractors hit unexpected basalt, requiring seven months of rock hammering.
“We’re out of the tunnel and we’ll now just push further through the development,” Mr Brown said.
Orange City Council approved a second subdivision for 103 lots earlier this month, while a third has been deferred pending negotiations between the developer and surrounding landholders.
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