Australia’s largest master-planned community under single ownership is fast-tracking its first ‘lakes’ precinct in Aura that eventually will be home to more than 6000 families.
Stockland is preparing its anticipated next phase of development in the new suburb of Gagalba, also known as Aura Lakes.
Located in Aura’s far south, Galgalba’s 74 hectare first stage (Precinct 18) will include a mix of homes, public parks and a business hub.
Project director Josh Sondergeld said Stockland would “accelerate planning” after lodging development applications for the initial 1,100 lots at Gagalba and another 1,100 lots at Banya.
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“We have brought forward our plans in response to strong demand for new housing on the Sunshine Coast which is experiencing a land supply shortage,” Mr Sondergeld said.
“Aura is a highly desirable community, and we hope to be able to market to eager homebuyers within the next year and continue to grow with the community.
“Located in the suburb of Gagalba (Kabi Kabi derived word ‘shining place’), Aura Lakes will eventually be home to more than 6,000 families.
“With the lakes as its centrepiece, it will be surrounded by retail, commercial, residential and community parkland, all linked by Aura’s famous veloways.”
A report by planner Urbis says Gagalba’s first phase aims to be delivered in 2024.
The $5 billion city of Aura, which will eventually be home to 50,000 people, is in a rapid growth phase and getting closer to beginning a South Bank-style lagoon and a new city centre.
Gagalba follows the release over the last six years of Aura’s first three suburbs — Baringa, Nirimba and Banya.
It will be located south of Banya, adjacent to the Bruce Highway and with direct access to Bells Creek Arterial Road and views to the Glass House Mountains.
The site itself includes Bells Creek South.
Gagalba’s landscape design will draw creative inspiration from water bodies such as waterfalls, rock pools, rivers and beaches.
But unlike typical lake estates where homes front the water, it appears Precinct 18’s lakes and ponds will be contained in public spaces for community enjoyment.
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Urbis’s planning report lodged with Economic Development Queensland reveals Gagalba will comprise a residential area of mostly low-density housing.
It will also have a neighbourhood centre with shops, restaurants, health care, businesses, gym and higher-density residential.
“Aura Lakes will be designed around a series of interconnected wetlands and green spaces which contribute to achieving Aura’s water quality targets,” says the Urbis report.
“The residential neighbourhoods are predominately of a low-density nature and positioned to take advantage of view lines to the Glass House Mountains.”
Precinct 18 will be delivered across 47 stages with the initial stages occurring within the south-western corner and comprising the wetlands feature, open space and surrounding residential community.
The next stages will include the balance of housing and extend from the wetlands entrance to the north-eastern boundaries and within the north-western parts of the site.
The final stages will comprise the neighbourhood centre, followed by road infrastructure which will extend to future stages of Aura.
The entrance to Gagalba will feature a large water body such as a lake as well as circular public gardens and public grassy spaces that replicate the idea of lily pads.
The neighbourhood parks will include a kick-about open space, village green, active play space (such as fitness equipment, basketball court), playground, picnic shelters and barbeque.
“As a key feature of the development, the entrance is designed to incorporate a combination of wetlands and open space,” says the Urbis report.
“The wetlands are located to take advantage of views to the Glass House Mountains and designed to reflect the locality’s proximity to Pumicestone Passage, which is one of Moreton Bay’s most essential natural habitats.
“The wetlands are designed to serve a multifaceted function, which is to provide localised stormwater detention; an enhancement of visual amenities; and a habitat for flora and fauna.
“The areas surrounding the waterbody comprise open space to facilitate low-impact recreation activities for residents and visitors whilst also enhancing natural habitats for the wetlands flora and fauna.”
The design and landscaping of Gagalba will be influenced by well-known local water spots such as Serenity Falls, Shelly Beach, Fairy Pools and hinterland waterfall cascades.
Parks throughout the precinct will incorporate the “lily pad design concept” with circular spaces and interconnected green links.
“Overall, the Precinct’s physical landscape embraces circular geometries in a coherent and holistic way, through footpaths, water edges, shelters, structures and other urban landscape forms,” says Aura’s report.
