Agreement signed that will see the development of 1400 residential lots in Greenough

7/7/99

Premier Richard Court has today signed an agreement between the State Government and a private developer that will see the development of 1400 residential lots to form the 'Seacrest' estate in the Shire of Greenough.
The agreement is a joint venture arrangement between the Ministry of Housing's Landstart division and Geraldton company, Springdale Holdings, for development of a 161ha tract of land located five kilometres from Geraldton.
"One of the main goals of the Ministry of Housing is to involve the private sector in partnerships to develop quality - and affordable - residential estates for all Western Australians," Mr Court said.
'Seacrest' is the first joint venture between the Ministry of Housing and a private property developer in the north of the State.
Springdale Holdings has been prominent in broadacre land development in Geraldton and other northern coastal towns for over 15 years.
When fully developed, the community is planned to include two schools, a church, parks, a recreation centre, accommodation for tourists, and a shopping centre.
It will feature attractive and affordable housing that will appeal to a wide range of potential purchasers from first-home buyers to retirees.
Access will be via an entry off Brand Highway with a freshwater lake and a tree-lined boulevard leading to the top of the scarp and overlooking the ocean.
Blocks are expected to sell for between $48,500 and $64,000. Already, 15 of the 37 lots in the first stage have been pre-sold. The principal agents for the first stage are Roy Weston Geraldton.
Mr Court said the new development would also be a 'smart subdivision'.
"Seacrest will be an excellent example of the creativity that can be applied in both urban and regional areas to develop 'intelligent' communities that are truly in tune with the next millennium," Mr Court said.
An 'intelligent' or 'smart' subdivision is one that has common cabling of all communications services.
Fibre optic cable will also be used to give residents an innovative new range of services such as cable and satellite television, direct high speed Internet connection and home automation systems.
Mr Court said that to take advantage of the new technology, it was planned that the homes in Seacrest would be fitted with 'smart wiring', allowing for easy upgrades to cater for new advances in the telecommunications industry.
Media Contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475