An additional 500 Port Macquarie families will be able to call Sovereign Hills home after the master planned community’s biggest residential precinct to date received the green light.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has approved the 449-lot Heritage precinct development application – the region’s second largest this century.
The construction process will span three years, however developer Lewis Land Group (LLG) expects the flow on effects will be felt for years to come.
“The Heritage at Sovereign Hills provides the ability to create homes for 500 new families, many new jobs and over $250m of investment into the Port Macquarie-Hastings region over the next three years,” stated LLG’s Head of Development Michael Long.
“The Heritage is a community focused and nature precinct, providing affordable house and land options surrounded by regenerated parklands. A newly constructed underpass will provide safe and direct connectivity to the future Sovereign Hills town centre, St Joseph’s Regional College and childcare centres, making this a great value neighbourhood for growing families.”
Local earth moving contractor Kazac Civil is setting a feverish pace preparing the site, located on the southern side of the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie’s gateway, for the future streetscapes.
Kazac Civil’s Managing Director Steve Cusato advised more than half of his workforce and machinery are committed to the Sovereign Hills project which will, when complete, comprise up to 2,500 homes, interspersed with parkland and community facilities, across a 350-hectare footprint.
“In the last three to four years we’ve increased our full-time staff numbers from 15 people to 80,” shared Mr Cusato.
“We’re undertaking $15m worth of work at Sovereign Hills right now constructing the residential stages and Oxley Highway underpass, so it’s a significant project for our company.”
“The Heritage will provide significant jobs in construction, professional services, manufacturing and retail,” added Mr Long. “Lewis Land Group is delighted to be contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of the region with this expansion of our Sovereign Hills community.”
The Heritage DA approval follows the successful release and imminent completion of Sovereign Hills’ adjoining Stirling Green precinct, which comprises 378 homes, including the Sovereign Hills Display Village.
“Blocks have been snapped up by local and interstate buyers keen to build a home in a modern, planned estate with a vision for the future. This has given us great confidence to commence work on the Heritage,” stated Mr Long.
LLG recently announced plans to build Stage 1 of the Sovereign Hills town centre development. The 4,500sq.m convenience centre is the initial stage of 25,000sqm of retail, commercial and community space with a strong focus on sustainability.
Stage 1 will include a full-line supermarket, medical centre and pharmacy, supported by specialty stores, and is anticipated to open in late 2019 – just in time for Sovereign Hills’ next wave of new families to utilise.
