Within days Shaun and Laura Tarrant will welcome their first child.

The Sovereign Hills couple is looking forward to seeing how the community’s master plan functions for them as a family of three.

“We are already walking the dog twice a day through the neighbourhood and we are certainly excited about having new places to explore with baby in tow,” shared the Tarrants.

Laura is a PDHPE teacher at the community’s popular St Joseph’s Regional College, while Shaun has a 20-minute commute to his role at a busy pharmacy in Laurieton.

“We chose to build our second home in Sovereign Hills partly due to its location being the perfect median for travel to and from work for both of us, however, the main reason was the fact that the community has been designed with a master plan in mind. Every street has been constructed with purpose.

“This is becoming more and more apparent with the parks in the area, the connection of Stirling Green and Barton Ridge, and especially the development of the new town centre.”

The couple sold their first home in the community’s original precinct before upgrading to their second property.

“We loved our first home at Barton Ridge, but with high resale prices in the area it was the right time sell up and start all over again.”

They worked with display village builder Adenbrook Homes to create both homes and are already toying with the idea of building a third.

“We found the process surprisingly easy,” they admitted. “Originally we had no idea where to start but after asking many questions the process rolled together in a very straight forward manner. Both our builder and the team at Sovereign Hills were always helpful, they really did go above and beyond to answer our questions and make the process as easy as possible.

“The biggest lesson we have learnt is listen to your builder; they are experts and understand which style of house works best on your block of land. Ultimately, it is your decision but listen to the guidance that they give you.

“Our first home we stuck to the basics, but this time around we have been a bit more adventurous in terms of design and colours.”

After both growing up in the region, and moving away to study, Shaun and Laura were happy to return to the Hastings to pursue their careers, particularly Laura at the community’s state-of-the-art regional college.

“Having everything close by is so convenient. I can leave the car at home and walk to and from work in 15 minutes – a luxury not many others have.

“It really is a fantastic school, I feel very lucky to be part of such a great community both professionally and personally. As a PDHPE teacher the facilities we have at our disposal are second to none including the full-size AFL and NRL fields, and with the planned development of another sporting complex in the area, things are looking great for our sporting teams.”

This future sporting development consists of five regional playing fields which will be constructed on the schools’ northern boundary. Football Mid North Coast has entered discussions with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to have a world-class facility, including a stadium with undercover seating, built on the site, pending financial backing from all levels of government.

The Tarrants are also looking forward to the construction of the community’s town centre development, with Stage 1 to include a full-line supermarket and medical centre, anticipated to open before Christmas 2019.

The 4,500sq.m convenience centre is the initial stage of 25,000sqm of retail, commercial and community space.

“The development of the town centre will centralise a lot of essential services; everything we need will be only a short walk or drive. There will be some great specialty shops and some exceptional health services readily accessible without having to fight traffic and drive into the heart of Port Macquarie.”

The arrival of their first child should coincide nicely with the opening of the new Stirling Green parkland, which will provide residents on the southern side of the development with a childrens’ playground, bike paths, sheltered seating and tables, and open green space.

“We have frequently used the park at College Rise and are looking forward to the opening of Stirling Green’s, particularly when our child is a bit older and can enjoy it with other children in the area. Since moving here we have caught up with old friends and made some new ones who we are eager to raise a family alongside. It is a truly great, open and friendly community that is growing out here.”