Construction Starts on $100m Forest Lake Residential Estate

Shovels hit dirt on a masterplanned community at Forest Lake on Thursday, where 151 homes will be delivered 35km south-west of Brisbane’s CBD. 

The development consortium comprising Queensland developer Marquee, Cohere and LHPP turned sod on the Woodvale Village site, which is aimed at meeting first-home buyer and family demand in Brisbane. 

The $100-million integrated infill residential development was approved through the State Facilitated Development (SFD) planning pathway and received funding through the Incentivising Infill Development Fund. 

Cohere director Claire O’Rourke said the SFD pathway had paved the way for an expedited planning approval.

“Woodvale Village is the only residential subdivision approved under the SFD process and is a great example of the private sector and the government coming together to fast-track infill housing projects in high-growth corridors,” O’Rourke said. 

“Under the SFD pathway, smaller lot sizes were mandated by the government, which has allowed us to deliver more affordable and low-maintenance homes, while the offset of infrastructure charges means buyers won’t have to absorb the additional cost of essential site infrastructure that was required to unlock new housing in this area.

“This streamlined planning pathway, combined with the IIDF grant, has accelerated delivery of this masterplan by 18 months, bringing much-needed housing supply to Forest Lake sooner.”

▲ UDIA Queensland chief executive Kirsty Chessher-Brown and Cohere director Claire O'Rourke at the sod turning at Forest Lake on Thursday.

Housing affordability and supply remain critical issues in South-East Queensland. 

Marquee director Jacques Winterburn said home-building partner Urbane Homes would deliver the housing products. 

“The Forest Lake and Heathwood corridor is experiencing high demand, as it is close to key infrastructure and amenity including schools, parks and retail,” Winterburn said.

“Most new developments are required to deliver homes on lots over 400sq m, but at Woodvale Village we can deliver similar-sized homes with a proportion of these available on slightly smaller lots, reducing the price for the incoming buyer. 

“With a range of three and four-bedroom terrace-style homes, we’re delivering more choice and variety for new home buyers.”

Winterburn said the consortium expects to launch Woodvale Village to market in March, with the project slated to have its first residents move in in mid-2027.