Major projects

AE2, Ermington – Sydney

DHA will build and retain 210 dwellings for Defence members and their families at AE2 in Ermington. The development is located 18 kilometres from central Sydney and five kilometres from the Parramatta CBD. AE2 is a 16.3 hectare riverfront residential development incorporating a mixture of detached houses and terrace houses. The development, which will provide a total of 700 dwellings, is named after the first Allied and Australian submarine to enter the Dardanelles Straits during the Gallipoli campaign.

In December 2012, after an extensive sales campaign, six multi-unit lots were sold to Payce Consolidated. On 28 May 2013, Watpac Construction Pty Ltd was awarded the contract for the first 91 dwellings. Construction of the entire development is expected to be completed in 2015 to coincide with the centenary of the Gallipoli landings. The first dwellings for Defence tenants are expected to be completed in December 2013.

Heartwood, Voyager Point – Sydney

DHA will build 59 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Heartwood in Voyager Point. The residential development is located 40 kilometres from central Sydney and is a short drive to the nearby Holsworthy Army Base. Heartwood is a 15.7 hectare residential development incorporating a mixture of detached houses and duplexes. The development will provide a total of 137 lots. Heartwood is named after the ‘heartwood’ of the Mahogany trees that surround Voyager Point. The total cost of the project is approximately $40 million.

Civil works commenced in 2012 and have now been completed. Subsequently, housing construction is projected to commence early in 2013–14. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in October 2014.

Kellyville – Sydney

DHA will build 34 dwellings for Defence members and their families in Kellyville. The development is located 39 kilometres from central Sydney and is approximately 21 kilometres from RAAF Base Richmond. Kellyville is a four hectare residential development that will primarily feature detached houses. The development is expected to provide a total of 65 lots with 31 lots to be sold on the open market. The total cost of the project is approximately $27 million.

The project was considered by the PWC in August 2012 and approved by the Parliament on 19 September 2012. Civil works started in the first half of 2013. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in December 2014.

Crimson Hill, Lindfield – Sydney

DHA will build 173 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Crimson Hill in Lindfield. Additionally, 162 dwellings will be built. These, with 10 land lots, will be sold on the open market. The development, bounded on three sides by the Lane Cove National Park, is located 15 kilometres from central Sydney and three kilometres from Chatswood Shopping Centre. Crimson Hill is a 13.8 hectare residential development incorporating a mixture of detached houses, townhouses and apartments. Crimson is a colour associated with importance, strength and nobility; it is the colour of the Victoria Cross ribbon. Five precincts in the development will be named after Victoria Cross recipients in the Battle of Lone Pine.

The project was referred to the PWC and, on its recommendation, approved by the Parliament on 23 August 2012. Civil works started in the first quarter of 2013 following receipt of environmental and other planning approvals. On 28 May 2013, the Minister for Defence approved contracts for the construction of 222 apartments. The first dwellings are expected to be completed by late 2014.

Larrakeyah Barracks, Larrakeyah – Darwin

DHA built 98 dwellings for Defence members and their families at the Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin. This development was completed ahead of schedule and in time for the 2012–13 peak posting period. The project required the removal or demolition of 61 residences and included major upgrades to base infrastructure such as sewerage, stormwater and electrical.

The project was approved by the PWC at a cost of $63.8 million on 21 March 2011. On 29 November 2012, following another recommendation from the PWC, the Parliament approved a follow-on project for major upgrades to 48 houses on Larrakeyah Barracks. Work on the first two stages of upgrades began in early 2013.

Breezes Muirhead – Darwin

DHA will build 329 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Breezes Muirhead. The development is located 14 kilometres from central Darwin and the Larrakeyah Barracks. Breezes Muirhead is a 167 hectare residential development featuring a mixture of detached houses and townhouses. This development is named after the tropically inspired urban design, taking advantage of the prevailing cross flow breezes. The development will provide 1,100 lots. Stage One and Two civil works are complete, with 227 lots sold on the open market.

The first 50 dwellings for Defence members and their families have been completed, with the second 50 currently under construction. Stage Three civil works were awarded to BMD Constructions at the end of March 2013. Construction of the entire development is expected to be completed in 2019.

Warner Springs – Brisbane

DHA will build 130 dwellings for Defence members and their families in Warner Springs. The development is located 25 kilometres from central Brisbane and 17 kilometres from Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Warner Springs is a 35.6 hectare residential development and will provide 465 land lots and a two hectare multi-unit lot. The site is a former clay quarry and has been rehabilitated by CSR Limited.

Final settlement was made conditional on an environmental clearance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, among other conditions. These conditions were finalised during 2012–13 with settlement occurring on 18 June 2013. A public hearing by the PWC took place in Brisbane during June and the project was approved by Parliament on 27 June 2013. Project management will be provided by Peet Limited. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in late 2015.

Gordon Olive Estate, McDowall – Brisbane

DHA built 61 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Gordon Olive Estate in the Brisbane suburb of McDowall. The development is located 13 kilometres from central Brisbane and five kilometres from Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Gordon Olive Estate is a 6.4 hectare residential development incorporating a mixture of detached houses, duplexes and townhouses. It is named after Brisbane-born Battle of Britain pilot and distinguished community figure, Gordon Olive, CBE, who died in 1987. The project was completed in late 2011 at a total cost of approximately $27 million, including land.

Early in 2012–13, the DHA Board approved a recommendation that the multi-unit lot, intended to be sold to a private developer, be retained for Defence members and their families. DHA will now build 23 townhouses in 2013–14 increasing the number of dwellings for Defence families to 84.

Samford Road, Enoggera – Brisbane

DHA will retain all dwellings for Defence members and their families at Samford Road in Enoggera. The development is located six kilometres from central Brisbane and is immediately adjacent to Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. The site was previously the location of seven two- storey brick and weatherboard townhouses that could not cost-effectively be made compliant with the new Defence minimum standards. DHA will redevelop the site and construct three multi-storey buildings that will yield a total of 55 dwellings, including seven townhouses and 48 two and three bedroom apartments. The total cost of the development is approximately $24.6 million. The Samford Road project was approved by Parliament on 27 June 2013. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in October 2015.

Bluewattle, Rasmussen – Townsville

DHA will build 430 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Bluewattle in Rasmussen. The development, nestled in the Thuringowa corridor, is located 17 kilometres from central Townsville and 11 kilometres from Lavarack Barracks. Bluewattle is a 98 hectare residential development which will feature predominantly detached houses. Rasmussen, the Ross River and surrounding areas are home to nearly half of all known butterfly species in Australia, including the ‘Wattle Blue’. The meaning, symbology and cultural significance of the butterflies resonate with the vision for Bluewattle, Rasmussen and the spirit of Townsville itself. A major revision to the site masterplan has been proposed and, if approved, could increase the total lots from 1,180 to 1,300. The land was acquired from the private market at a cost of $30 million. Stage One civil works commenced in May 2013. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in October 2014.

Fetherston Ridge, Weston – Canberra

DHA will build 50 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Fetherston Ridge in Weston. The development is located 14 kilometres from central Canberra and is a short drive to the Australian Defence College. Fetherston Ridge is an 8.3 hectare property incorporating a mixture of detached houses and townhouses. The development will provide 73 standard lots and three multi-unit lots. The name Fetherston Ridge was chosen to complement the neighbouring Fetherston Gardens and to honour their founder, Tony Fetherston. He was an educator and a pioneer of horticulture in the Canberra community and served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1934–1944. The total project cost is estimated at $40 million. The project was the subject of a public hearing by the PWC in July 2012 and was approved by Parliament on 23 August 2012. Civil works began in March 2013. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in late 2014 and construction of the entire development is expected to be completed in 2016.

Bayriver, Largs North – Port Adelaide

DHA will build and retain 35 dwellings for Defence members and their families at Bayriver in Largs North. This coastal development is located 18 kilometres from central Adelaide. Bayriver is a 8.8 hectare development featuring a mixture of detached houses and townhouses. This residential development is situated on the Lefevre Peninsula between Largs Bay and Port River. The development will provide 127 lots including 11 multi-unit lots for medium-density development. On Friday 21 June, DHA reached a major milestone with the unveiling of Meyer Reserve, a central park where residents can build a strong community. Meyer Reserve is named in honour of Heinrich Carl Meyer, a founding member of the South Australian Harbours Board and the namesake of the former Meyer Oval on which the site sits. Civil works were completed in the first part of 2013. Stage One achieved steady sales and all of the eleven multi-unit lots were sold. The construction of dwellings commenced on 7 July 2013. The first dwellings are expected to be completed in December 2013.