Monday 29 January 2007

Devine launches three stages of its nine-stage Brimbank estate

Renewed confidence in the Melbourne housing market has prompted Devine Limited to release the first three stages of its masterplanned 'Central Park' residential community - totalling 150 lots - at the one time.

The Brimbank estate will be launched on February 8 featuring blocks ranging in size from 335sqm to more than 700sqm, and in price from $119,000. House-and-land packages will start from $259,000.

'Central Park' is a 44-hectare estate bordered by Robinsons and Foleys Roads, 19 kilometres west of the Melbourne GPO. It is a multi-stage development which, in time, will have more than 600 dwellings set around a series of communal parks and facilities.

Following the completion in 2006 of the spectacular 'Victoria Point Docklands' curved roof and gold glass residential tower on Dockland's waterfront adjoining Telstra Stadium, 'Central Park' will become Devine's latest residential showpiece in Melbourne, with an end value of approximately $200-Million. This residential land estate will offer an unprecedented choice of accommodation styles and meet some of the demands created by the Brimbank area's growing appetite for housing.

Devine is well underway with the infrastructure, services and civil works for the estate's first three stages.

By October Devine expects to open a display village at 'Central Park' which will be located just off Foleys Road, featuring more than 40 homes from a variety of builders. Among those confirmed are Ashford Homes, Architectural Projects, Bora Homes, Grandville Homes, Resident Home Builders, Snowdon Developments, Victorian Property Developments, Watersun Homes and Zedem Group.

An independent land and home loan centre providing one-stop shop assistance will be incorporated into the 'Battle of the Builders' display village for the benefit of home buyers.

As its name implies, 'Central Park' will have a green 'heart', with a lush community park more than one-hectare in size. The parkland will include picnic spots, barbecue areas, park furniture, children's playgrounds, and extensive grassed areas to encourage active and passive recreation and outdoor performances.

'Central Park' is also expecting to incorporate provisions for a childcare centre.

Devine's confidence in the Melbourne market stems from strong recent sales activity at two of its other major developments, 'Parkside at Moorokyle' located at Tarneit and 'Cardinia Grove' at Pakenham. Between these two attractive residential estates, 68 sales were recorded in December as buyers snapped up the fully landscaped home and land properties.

"We had initially planned to launch just the first stage of 'Central Park', which was 60 lots, but we believe the demand has strengthened to justify a much more significant release," said Devine's Victorian Sales Manager, Michael Robinson.

"Despite interest rate rises over the past two years, buyers have shown real intent to secure new homes in our developments which offer a variety of housing choices and good value for money.

"We are very confident that 'Central Park' will be in high demand because it is within 10 minutes of one of Melbourne's largest industrial centres, providing vast employment opportunities, and yet very accessible to the CBD.

"The area is a growing one, offering a variety of schooling options, a vast range of retail centres, good sporting facilities and an excellent transport network, including major arterial roads and freeways, rail and bus services.

Devine's residential estates are designed to enhance the feeling of community with amenities and public open space, which encourages residents to stroll around and mix with their neighbours.

"We are careful to create modern, dynamic residential communities in harmony with their surroundings and constructed to ecologically sustainable parameters," said Devine's National Manager Mr Paul Nash. "We embrace leading environmental techniques to conserve resources, minimise pollution, protect biodiversity and provide a quality lifestyle.

"Devine has an enviable record nationally in developing places people love to call home, coupled with value-for-money new homes and inclusions such as carpets, light fittings and full landscaping. Purchasers feel secure with the hassle-free all-inclusive purchase price and this has underpinned continued strong market demand for our products, and is the catalyst for our plans for further developments in Melbourne over the coming years," said Mr Nash.

Since the company expanded into Victoria in 1997 Devine has become one of the State's most active developers. The publicly-listed company is currently involved in housing communities at Berwick, Pakenham, Point Cook, Skye, and Tarneit.

'Central Park' has a marketing office opening on February 8 at the corner of Robinson Road and Foleys Road Deer Park, which will operate daily from 10am to 5pm. Enquiries about all Devine estates can be made on 13 24 66, or www.devine.com.au.

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Released by: Devine Victoria, 85 Coventry St, South Melbourne, 3205
Contact: Michael Robinson, Victorian State Manager on (0448) 795 435
Paul Nash, National GM Housing & Land, on (0439) 730 424
Prepared by: Barry Hyland of PR Plus, Level 1, 272 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest 2065 on
Ph: (02) 9439 9191, Fax: (02) 9439 9190. pluspr@ozemail.com.au