ARARAT - After experiencing a range of setbacks and delays, Ararat's Evans Park housing subdivision is now going full steam ahead.
Construction work has begun on the 76-lot subdivision, located about two kilometres from Ararat's city centre between Wattle Crescent and Ferguson's Road.
The Evans Park development was granted planning approval by Ararat Rural City Council in March 2010.
Construction was to begin in early 2011, however the project hit a few problems.
Project director, Bill Clydesdale said it was important not to avoid the fact the subdivision's progress was curbed by a range of delays.
"We appreciate there may have been varying speculation within the community as to the reason for the delays, however we overcame them and now we're re-launching it again," he said.
Mr Clydesdale said there were problems relating to services to the site, which resulted in a reassessment of how to achieve the project's aims in line with its budget.
"We particularly want to emphasise the fact that the process we went through was a really co-operative environment with all the relevant authorities involved in resolving the issues," Mr Clydesdale said.
"Now that it is all resolved, we can re-launch the project with confidence now that construction has begun."
Property developer Paul Thompson said allotments in the subdivision would be released in three stages and that a separate allotment fronting the Western Highway had been set aside for a motel development.
The majority of the allotments will be relatively large, up to 800 square metres, with a number of smaller medium-density blocks. There will also be some allotments suitable for townhouse development.
"The first home buyers grant is still alive and well and we would hope that people will take advantage of the up to $26,000 saving," Mr Thompson said.
The first of the project's three stages is expected to be completed by May/June, with titles to be issued in the ensuing four-to-six week period.
Mr Clydesdale said another reason for delays to the project was the fact many civil contractors were caught up repairing bridges and roads for local councils north of Ararat Rural City following the floods of January, 2011.
As a result, the developer looked closer to home.
"Using Eastick Homes as the civil contractor is a win-win for Ararat as a number of contractors are sourced locally. That's certainly one of Paul's goals as the developer to keep as much of the work in town. It's been a very important aspect of the project," he said.
"We're also working with local builders putting house and land packages together, which will be supported by an advertising campaign commencing today. All builders in the town are being actively encouraged to get involved in the project to provide opportunities for their clients to build in the estate."
Mr Clydesdale said 34 lots would be available in stage one and that the timing of subsequent stages would be dependent on the success of the initial stage.
"We hope that stage two would follow later this year, but it's obviously subject to how sales go," he said.
Evans Park is named in honour Theresa Evans, who owned the 27-acre area of land in the late 1800s.
The subdivision will feature a green belt of native bushland along its north and west sides, which Mr Clydesdale believes will be a drawcard for home buyers.
"It gives a great backdrop for the whole estate and creates a buffer zone between any potential future developments," he said.
"It's a nice open space that people can utilise."
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