THE HILLS ARE ALIVE

A major development west of Port Macquarie is set to take off in earnest within a fortnight. Work has been at a standstill on the ground at Sovereign Hills, a new community planned at Thrumster, on Port Macquarie's western fringe, but developers say that is about to change.

The first stage of civil work for the 35 lot builders' exhibition village is already done. Lewis Land Group director, Robert Yandell, confirmed the civil contract to build the roads and other infrastructure for the exhibition village was signed this week. Hastings businessman, Steve Cusato, won the tender.

The plan is to complete the remaining civil work for the display village, including final earthworks, roads, sewer, water and power, by December 2010. The display houses will then be built in preparation for the display village grand opening by August 2011.

Roadworks for part of the development, known as Barton Ridge West, will pave the way to finalise land sales for the aged care and medical centre sites. "This is a big leap forward," Mr Yandell said about the development's progress. "It is significant becausse it is a major contract that has been let. I think it will be great for Port Macquarie."

Mr Yandell said Sovereign Hills would proceed as it was always intended to but the development was "just running a little bit behind time."

The 400ha Sovereign Hills site, about 8km west of Port Macquarie, will grow into a new community of up to 10,000 people in up to 15 years. The display village will have links with Homeworld in the Sydney suburb of Kellyville. Homeworld attracts 5000 people a week.

Homeworld chief executive officer Frank Death said the display village would have economic spin-offs for the Hastings and Mid North Coast. Clientele would be drawn from Forster to Coffs Harbour, and west to New England, he said, which would have great benefits for Port Macquarie.

"I believe it will change the way in which home buying decisions are made for people going to build on the Mid North Coast," Mr Death said.

Builders from Sydney, Newcastle and the Mid North Coast have committed to the display village. In all, 27 lots have been snapped up and it is expected the remaining eight lots will be taken within the next few months.

A board of directors is representative of builders in the not-for-profit builders' cooperative.

 

Builders Exhibtion Village Site

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