Flamboyant land developer Gary Evans has declared his latest project in Kyabram will be the “Toorak of the north’’ and hopes work will start on the South Boundary Rd property before the end of the year.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Mr Evans’ 205-lot Kyabram Greens Estate will have 32 homes that have direct access to the Parkland Golf Club and only 10 blocks remained unsold from the opening two stages of the project.
Building a home on the block, however, will not be for the faint hearted as development conditions on the large lots that adjoin the Parkland Golf Club will require a high-end financial commitment.
Mr Evans has released the initial 52 blocks of the project and has recently completed preparation work on the site as the final steps are taken to secure a Campaspe Shire permit to begin construction on site.
His “Toorak of the north” reference relates to the covenants he has put on the development of homes on the property, which will — in some cases — be prohibitive for the “average joe”.
Mr Evans will require potential land buyers to submit their house to a design review panel and there are a number of other requirements, covering everything from the materials used in fencing and the surfacing of driveways, right through to the finished product.
“There will be no Colorbond fences in this housing estate,” Mr Evans said.
“We will have brushbox, which is a more expensive option, but it is an example of why Kyabram Greens will be the premium estate in the region.
“It will be the Toorak of the north. That is what I am trying to achieve.
“The houses that front onto the golf course will be very expensive homes.”
Nine of those homes are part of the first stage of the sub-division.
Mr Evans said the advice of his staff was that turning soil on the site before December was a “big ask”, but he was pushing ahead as hard as he could.
He is working with highly regarded civil contractor, The Winslow Group, which has only recently started working on the 34-lot Lakeside Estate development (on the opposite side of the Parkland Golf Club).
“They are also working on my development in Cobram (a 78-lot residential estate),” he said.
Winslow is one of the largest civil contractors in Australia.
Mr Evans embarked on a significant advertising campaign earlier this year using well-known Australia Day “Lambassador’’ Sam Kekovich in his radio and television commercials.
He said the message at the heart of that campaign (being the proximity of Kyabram to large regional centres) had hit home, with significant interest in the development from potential buyers in Echuca and Shepparton.
“There are a large number of people who no longer want to live in Echuca and Shepparton, the places are just getting too busy,” Mr Evans said.
“These same people don’t want to move too far away from their work, kids, grandkids and other activities in their lives.
“Many are saying ‘let’s just move down the road’. Fortunately, that is where Kyabram is located.”
Kyabram Greens is among a dynamic expansion of residential living opportunities now available in, and just outside, the town that could represent more than 600 blocks in the next couple of years.
The Edge Estate, Sunrise Estate, Bluegum Estate and the Lakeside development, along with another sub-division at Tongala (Murray Estate), are all on similar time frames.
Mr Evans said he expected the growth in the town to be accompanied by the need for further infrastructure, schools, supermarkets and other associated facilities.
The former site of the Dawes Rd Primary School remains vacant and consistent rumours about the arrival of a McDonalds Restaurant and an Aldi supermarket are often attached to any talk of an increase in population.
“Our politicians, at every level, need to start planning ahead,” Mr Evans said.
He said the final report would be delivered to Campaspe Shire this week.
“It had been promised to me by the end of April, but due to staff shortages we didn’t receive it by then,” he said.
“That’s the last piece in the puzzle to attain the permit.”
He said he had received approval for a development plan overlay (DPO) and the next step was the actual sub division permit.
“Council is aware of what we are doing and is fully behind the project. They want it to happen as quick as we do,” Mr Evans said.
“The permit application covers all eight stages of the development.”
In the meantime the developer has paid the first instalment of a planned $300,000 contribution to Parkland Golf Course, part of funding for the upgrade of the clubrooms.
He has also made a $5500 contribution, which will cover the membership of any Parkland Golf Club member over the age of 80 years old.
That has resulted in 30 members being refunded for their membership by the club.
“As soon as you reach 80 I will be paying for your Parkland Golf Club membership,” Mr Evans said.
“It costs so much money to live, pay electricity and everything else, sometimes I wonder how people survive.
“I don’t want to hear about someone can’t afford to play golf because they can’t afford the membership.”
Contributor