THE old Peel River Estate first proposed for Calala about eight years ago has been resurrected in a new form and this time around is approved to build a 450-block residential development, but without the controversial access along King George V Ave.
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The newly branded Outlook property development was launched on Wednesday, and effectively brings back a revised DA that has sat on the backburner for 18 months after developer Andrew Richardson de- clared it was dead and buried and he was walking away from the concept.
This week’s official launch includes the release of the first 31 lots of a three-stage development put together by a new partnership company including Mr Richardson and three Sydney-based partners.
This time around, The Outlook proposes over 450 blocks on a 90-hectare site of land between the Peel River and Goonoo Goonoo Creek backing on to the Gordon and Myrl streets area in Calala.
Under the revamped design, many blocks are bigger, there are more areas of open space and parklands, and the developer claims it will be Tamworth’s first truly green subdivision, with solar energy efficiencies, tree-lined streets and boulevards.
The estate’s original developer Andrew Richardson, who built and owns the Centrepoint retail complex, has re-jigged the plan he first had that attracted a huge wave of opposition over the heritage-listed memorial avenue a few years ago.
This time around, the developer company has more partners and a different design focus – and it’s already been given approval by Tamworth Regional Council to go ahead with the initial earthworks for the estate.
The first stage provides for some 31 blocks off Myrl St in Calala but with future plans for another entry via a roundabout, to be built on Calala Ln next to the council water treatment works.
The roundabout is expected to be built next year to take the increased traffic load as the development of homes there proceeds.
Councillor James Treloar has described The Outlook project as a “very good design,” that had been waiting in the wings for some time since the old Peel River Estate plan was put on hold in late 2014.
“It’s a fairly big compromise, but it was just too hard for him (Mr Richardson) in the initial phase,” Cr Treloar said.
“It’s a big development and it’s a very good development. They have looked at it and done all the right things. They’ve tried to make it environmentally friendly.”
Acting mayor Russell Webb said the change from the original concept of smaller blocks with narrower streets to cater for a completely different style of living had been a major difference, along with the fact that the estate did not depend on an entry through King George V Ave.
“The key part is the parklands and the facilities and the entranceway being significantly different; there are picturesque entrances and greener areas,” Cr Webb said.
Real estate agent Paul Ashcroft said the price of the blocks ranged from $145,000 and they were on the market now.
“This is a very exciting development. This has the most significant areas of open space and parklands offered than in any other estate in Tamworth,” Mr Ashcroft said.
“It has the highest-quality streetscaping, landscaped parks, community facilities and barbecue areas to a quality level that Tamworth has rarely seen.”
