Private developer breaks ground on $100m town centre development

Oct 4 2018, Sydney: Lewis Land Group is spearheading development plans for one of Australia’s fastest and largest growing communities as the construction of Stage 1 of Sovereign Hills’ $100 million town centre ‘Sovereign Place’ is officially underway.

The Sovereign Hills 2,400 lot master planned community is attracting local and interstate buyers, as the Port Macquarie region experiences rapid growth in infrastructure, tourism and employment opportunities and with a population growth expected to boom in the next 20 years.

Lewis Land Group Chief Executive Officer, Chris Calvert describes the town centre as one of the biggest under construction in regional NSW. Its development represents a significant investment from Lewis Land Group into a region with immense growth opportunities. Stage 1 will generate 300-400 construction jobs, together with a further 200 permanent and casual positions throughout the IGA supermarket and additional businesses.

Mr Calvert stated, “We are developing a community with space for 8,400 people and our vision has always been to create an environment where these families can live, work and play. As a group we are committed to building not just a development, but a vibrant residential community. Developing Sovereign Hill’s 25,000 square metre town centre now, at this early stage of the overall development, is testament to that commitment.”

Speaking of the region’s transformation, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Strategy and Growth Director, Jeffery Sharp said, “Over the past five years, Port Macquarie-Hastings’ Gross Regional Product has steadily risen to $4.78 billion in 2017, whilst other regions haven’t been so fortunate. Unemployment continues to decrease whilst domestic visitor numbers over the last year have increased by 5.6%. Over the next 12 months, the council will be injecting more than $57m in local community projects including roads, stormwater, footpaths and recreation projects.”

Significant in Port Macquarie’s evolution is not just its growth, but its “youthification”. Demographer Bernard Salt, Managing Director of The Demographics Group, comment: “The introduction of the Charles Sturt University campus into the region is transforming the community’s demographics. We are seeing a rapid normalisation from 20 years ago when Port Macquarie was an aging community, and is now a diverse, engaged and energetic place of opportunity.”

Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Tracy Green, said, “Developments such as the Sovereign Hills Town Centre continue to add to the diverse economic ecosystem in Port Macquarie. CSU brings students, staff, residential schools and visitors to Port Macquarie from the Mid North Coast Region, NSW and the world through our international students. Stage two of our campus is under way and we are thrilled to see developments such as this support and facilitate our vision for continued growth in the region.

The town centre will grow in stages to more than 25,000 square metres. Stage 1 comprises 5,600 square metres of retail space including a supermarket, chemist, medical, convenience and restaurant offerings, surrounded by landscaped areas for visitors to enjoy the outdoors.

Renowned for creating vibrant outdoor communities, Lewis Land Group’s new town centre will feature an open-air design alongside roof-mounted solar panels, with rainwater harvesting to be utilised for all landscaping irrigation, while recycled bricks and natural timbers will form the key architectural features of the building.

Port Macquarie’s fastest growing community remains a popular choice for both local and interstate buyers, seeking an affordable new home in a modern estate, just 10 minutes from the CBD and coastline. Lewis Land Group has released close to 200 new residential lots over the past 12 months to keep up with demand.
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Media contacts:
Peta Frost
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0413428582

Rachael Cameron
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About Lewis Land Group:
Lewis Land Group is one of Australia’s oldest private property developers, founded in 1957. The Group comprises a portfolio of residential, retail and leisure properties, including mixed-use community Sovereign Hills, Australia’s premier outlet shopping experience Harbour Town (Adelaide & Gold Coast), and hospitality venues the Fiddler Hotel, the Belvedere Hotel and Camden Valley Inn. Lewis Land Group’s vision is to create exceptional communities through developments that embrace the natural environment. Pioneers by nature, Lewis Land Group’s DNA is interwoven with water, nature and the great Australian outdoors to shape and enhance the way people live, shop, work and relax.

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