Cedar Woods Properties wins state govt eco-village tender

Cedar Woods Properties has won a competitive tender conducted by the Department of Housing and Works for the joint venture development of the Harrisdale Village project.

The department has been working on the government landholding in Perth's south east corridor for a number of years and a structure plan and subdivision plan has already been approved for the site.

The 30 hectare site is bound by Ranford, Warton and Wright Roads in the northern part of Forrestdale and was renamed Harrisdale in July 2007.

The site is located a short distance from Cedar Woods' existing Cambridge Waters development in Perth's fast growing south east corridor.

Development of the Harrisdale Village involves creation of 250 lots with construction of approximately 640 single, grouped and multiple dwellings.

A mixed business precinct is also to be developed along the Ranford Road frontage.

A project life of 7 years is expected.

Cedar Woods was chosen from an initial field of nine major developers to be part of the Harrisdale project.

In announcing Cedar Woods as the successful joint venture partner for the development, the Minister for Housing and Works, Hon, Michelle Roberts commended Cedar Woods on its approach in combining affordable housing with state of the art sustainable housing initiatives.

The project's sustainability initiatives include energy, water and resource use efficiencies, reduced car reliance, community, social and economic development and on-going research and education.

Presales are expected to begin in early 2009 with construction starting in the 2009 / 2010 financial year.

The Harrisdale project is consistent with the company's strategy of undertaking joint ventures and gives a further presence in one of Perth's key growth corridors.

The annoucement from the Department of Housing and Works is pasted below:

Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts today officially announced the joint venture between the state government and Cedar Woods Properties Limited to develop Harrisdale.

 "The 30ha Harrisdale site in WA's south-east corridor will include 250 lots with the potential for 640 sustainable homes and 40 businesses," Mrs Roberts said.

The new development would provide a range of housing options, including house and land packages priced under $350,000 specifically designed for first home buyers and people on low to moderate incomes.

"There will be more opportunities for first home buyers to purchase a home at Harrisdale under the state government's first start shared equity scheme," the Minister said.

"The state government will acquire lots to build public rentals and community housing, providing close to 70 dwellings."

Mrs Roberts said Cedar Woods Properties Limited was the successful proponent because its development plans incorporated energy efficient Water Wise and Greensmart initiatives.

Cedar Woods' managing director Paul Sadleir said that the State Goverment had a strong track record in sustainable urban development.

Included in the lot price, purchasers will be provided with a sustainability package which will contain the following:

- Ecosmart post occupancy energy audit;

- $500 rebate for solar hot water systems (in addition to the State Government rebate);

- 3,000 litre rainwater tank;

- alternative water supply for gardens;

- supply and installation of a one kilowatt photovoltaic cell;

- boundary and corner fencing to all lots; and

- water wise landscaping.

Armadale MLA Alannah MacTiernan said the Harrisdale development would also meet the sustainability objectives of the City of Armadale.

"Harrisdale shows that the State Government is not just thinking about the future of WA's housing needs, it is also working to sustain the needs of our environment," Ms MacTiernan said.

Stage One of the development is due for release in the financial year 2009-10.