PORT Macquarie's biggest residential development application (DA) this century has been given a green light, making way for 378 residential blocks in Sovereign Hills' southern precinct.
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The next stage of the multi-million dollar, 10-year project will include a new display village, accommodating up to 20 home builders, an attached car park and a pedestrian and cycling connection.
Within the next week, developers Lewis Land Group (LLG) also expect to receive Port Macquarie-Hastings Council approval for an 80-place child care centre in the Barton Ridge area.
Spokesman Robert Challenger said constant momentum for the new community on Port Macquarie's western fringe is a reflection of LLG's confidence in the area's economy and housing market.
Mr Challenger said earthworks for the new home sites, on the southern side of the Oxley Highway, near the highway service centre, are progressing well ahead of the first anticipated release of land in early 2016.
"LLG has every confidence in Port Macquarie and the ongoing need for quality, residential land," he said. "The future amenity and infrastructure that Sovereign Hills will offer ensures our current buyers will benefit from the growth of this master-planned community."
The new DA follows the success of Sovereign Hills' current residential precinct known as College Rise, which consists of 83 sites overlooking St Joseph's Regional College.
Blocks in this area are currently available for construction, and will adjoin the eventual town centre, which will feature a supermarket, specialty shops and community centre within three to five years. A primary school, medical centre, retirement village and aged care accommodation are all part of the long-term plan.
There is also an opportunity to maximise the lot yield and provide medium density housing and student accommodation to complement the construction of Charles Sturt University at Innes Peninsula.
Mr Challenger said deposits have been received for two thirds of the College Rise release, with a second smaller release due later this year.
"It's all part of LLG's plan to create a sustainable, master-planned community that will eventually accommodate more than 2000 homes and 10,000-plus residents," Mr Challenger said.
nicole.langdon@fairfaxmedia.com.au
