Award-winning residential developer Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is moving its Hunter Valley operation into the CBD, as it prepares to extend its residential developments in the burgeoning city.
DHA, who provides housing for Defence members and their families, has previously been located in Raymond Terrace but decided to move its regional office to the Newcastle CBD. The Fitzroy Street Housing Management Centre opened last week.
“The decision to move our Hunter office to the Newcastle CBD was an easy one,” DHA Managing Director Peter Howman said.
“Newcastle is a thriving and economically diverse city. The Department of Planning are forecasting that the city could add 37,000 more residents to its population by 2031, and all those people are going to need somewhere to live. While DHA is in the business of providing housing to Defence members, the flow-on to the greater community is enormous.”
In addition to this, the new $95 million University of Newcastle campus on Hunter Street is expected to bring new life to the area and boosting the need for student housing and related businesses.
“We are in the business of building communities,” Mr Howman said. “In order to do this we need to be innovative and adapt to the needs of our clients, their families and the greater community. Education is one of the top concerns for Defence members with children, and knowing that the city is committed to further education will make Newcastle and the surrounding area very popular.”
DHA is currently in the planning process for a number of developments in the Hunter region including a 28.5 hectare residential development at Thornton 27km from the CBD.
“We are planning to develop more than 200 land lots in Thornton,” Mr Howman said. “More than 60 per cent will be sold to the general public, while the remainder will retained by DHA for Defence members and their families.”
“The development is adjacent to an existing community and is close to existing amenities. It is also adjacent to a rural site, so many of the properties will have vista views.”
DHA manages more than 18,000 properties Australia-wide, and has a development pipeline of more than $1 billion. It has offices in major cities and regional centre around the country.