Integra Forges Ahead with 550-Home Ballarat Community

While the greenfield market in Victoria may have come off the boil, Ballarat-based Integra Group is forging ahead with its latest project, Aberdeen. The family-owned communities developer acquired the 44ha former Angus beef cattle farm on the Glenelg Highway in 2021, which Integra’s land development director Nick Grylewicz said was one of the last large-scale properties in the designated Ballarat West Growth Zone. The former farm would make way for 550 homes, a wetlands area and two neighbourhood parks under the plans. “Aberdeen is set in an elevated natural landscape ... and will feature Integra’s signature touch, with manicured parks, a thriving wetland and tree-lined streets,” Grylewicz said. Grylewicz said it was the first time Integra would offer flat builder-ready lots with retaining walls and benches already taken care of, which could save prospective residents up to $35,000. The site has been planned at 15 house sites a hectare, compared to the allowable 20 a hectare. Integra Group general manager Matt McCabe said that although the market had been “tough” there had been a high level of enquiry on the Aberdeen project. “We’ve had about 120 enquiries on Stage 1 and 2 … it’s more than we were expecting because it’s been pretty tough in the market,” McCabe said. “But we’ve had really good interest.” McCabe said builder liquidity was still of concern but said he was confident the market would find its balance, particularly when interest rates eventually come down. ▲ Integra Group is headquartered at Ballarat in regional Victoria. Ballarat experienced strong population growth through the pandemic and continues to provide more affordable living outside Melbourne. Under new Victorian government housing targets, Ballarat will need 1700 homes to be built a year. The housing targets project 46,900 new homes would be required in Ballarat by 2051 and this would be achieved through a combination of greenfield development and more infill supply. Sustainability and biodiversity were key considerations in the masterplanned community with the addition of 2000 new trees and 45,000 plants, shrubs and grasses. The emerging community will be 2.4km west of the Delacombe Town Centre, which would provide retail amenity and public transport links. The developer is also continuing to carve up its Lucas estate, which is planned to ultimately comprise 3100 lots. It also has an estate at Bendigo under way, with a further 120 lots to deliver. Another project at Torquay is in the planning stage. The regional developer began as a civil construction firm and has been in operation for more than 35 years.

Integra Forges Ahead with 550-Home Ballarat Community

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Integra Forges Ahead with 550-Home Ballarat Community

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