BILLIONS of dollars in new housing projects are centred on this quiet stretch of highway surrounded by bushland.
The 25km section of the Centenary Highway from Forest Lake to Yamanto has seven major projects in the early stages of development, with more than 18,500 new houses in the pipeline.
Springfield is the central hub, providing the amenity and facilities for the new communities.
Lendlease is reaching the end of its Springfield Lakes project, releasing final stage The Peninsula, while also launching the 415ha Springfield Rise in the suburb of Spring Mountain nearby.
The Peninsula is where Chrishan Perera, head chef at Mater Hospital Springfield, and wife Shenitha have bought their second home.
“We have been able to afford to buy a bigger block of land and are planning to build a double story home with a lot more space for the future,” Mr Perera said.
About halfway along the stretch of Centenary Highway, an extension to School Road is due to start this year – subject to final approval – and will connect new estates in Redbank Plains.
Devine has sold 70 per cent of the first two releases at Eden’s Crossing, with land priced from $163,000.
Nearby, Marquee Projects announced the release of the second stage of Sanctuary after stage one sold out in two months. Land is priced from $167,000.
Marquee Projects CEO Mark Spedding said the sales success was largely due to the proposed new infrastructure surrounding the development, including a proposed rail extension and Redbank Plains South station and new primary school to open in 2017.
Further west, the highway offers a view of the Ripley Valley, which is expected to accommodate 25 per cent of southeast Queensland’s population increase over the next 20 years.
Providence at South Ripley has scored close to 500 sales, with more than 85 families already moved into the community and a Splash n Play water park due to open late February.
On the other side of the highway Ecco Ripley is taking shape, with stage four recently released with land priced form $153,000. A new stage of terrace housing is scheduled for release in March, and developer Sekisui House has also released a duplex range.
Works have also started on Ripley Town Centre, with the first 130 residents already moved in and 73 homes under construction.
Just before the highway merges into Ipswich it passes through Deebing Heights, which is on the cusp of major new housing estates.
Stockland has sold almost 50 per cent of its 750-lot Sovereign Pocket estate, and is preparing to launch a new 2,200 lot estate dubbed Paradise Waters on the opposite side of the highway.
Earthworks have also started on the first stage of Highgrove estate, which has lots priced from $175,000 and ranging from 605sq m to 815sq m.
(Project name, total value, number of lots – FIGURES ARE APPROXIMATE)
Springfield Rise: $1.96 billion, 4000 lots
Edens Crossing: $360 million, 960 lots
Sanctuary: $75 million, 202 lots
Providence: $1 billion, 7000 lots
Ecco: $2 billion, 4000 lots and town centre
Paradise Waters: $530 million, 2,200 lots
Highgrove: (Total value unknown) 330 lots
Original Publish: http://www.couriermail.com.au/