Belated start to exhibition village
Construction has started on the first homes in an exhibition village expected to attract up to 1000 visitors a week.

Builders McDonald Jones started work on two houses a fortnight ago at HomeWorld Port Macquarie at Sovereign Hills, west of our town.

HomeWorld chief executive, Frank Death, said there were 15 display homes from eight builders secured at this stage, with more interest flowing in.

Construction of three more homes is about to begin. “The maximum is 25 homes which we expect will all be taken up before the village opens”, he said.

Start of construction is a milestone for the exhibition village once expected to be open several years ago. The land has been developed ready for the houses to go up and the builders own the land.

Mr Death said the builders were committed to the exhibition village. McDonald Jones general manager, David Ball, said the appeal was the potential land bank and the location at the centre point between Forster and Coffs Harbour.

The company is building two houses; a split-level home and another designed to appeal to all from baby boomers to retirees. Its two display homes are planned to open in February.

Mr Death said the site was ideally located for an independent  HomeWorld builders village.

“We predict this will significantly benefit the building industry on the Mid North Coast and Port Macquarie, “ he said.

The architecturally designed homes will use the latest technology and environmental systems during construction.

The official opening of HomeWorld Port Macquarie is scheduled for May. HomeWorld Port Macquarie is located at Sovereign Hills. The 400ha Sovereign Hills site about 8km west of Port Macquarie, is planned to grow into a new community of up to 10,000 in up to 15 years.

(Article courtesy Port Macquarie News – 12/10/11)