A suburb in a fast-growing area has been recognised as the best masterplanned community in Australia.
Baringa, in Stockland’s rapidly emerging Aura, was acknowledged at the Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards, held at Sydney.
Stockland project director Josh Sondergeld said the developer was honoured to receive the national industry award.
“We are extremely proud of what we have created and achieved since launching the project in 2016,” he said.
“As the first suburb of the $5 billion Stockland Aura, Baringa provides a wide range of much needed housing options for the Sunshine Coast.”
Stockland said Baringa was the top-selling masterplanned development in Australia for the two years prior to December 2019, with the development selling out in half the time anticipated, prompting the start of Aura’s next suburb, Nirimba, which is also experiencing similar demand from buyers.
“Our vision for Stockland Aura is to be Australia’s most sustainable and liveable city, with its sustainability credentials recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia, certifying Aura as achieving the highly coveted 6 Star – Greenstar Communities rating,” Mr Sondergeld said.
“From mandated building policies, cutting-edge approaches to water management that protect downstream waterways, large wildlife corridors with dedicated fauna underpasses protecting wildlife, an abundance of open spaces and parks, and the creation of an extensive cycle veloway network that connects the community, Stockland has adopted a distinctive and innovative approach to master planning.
“The success of Baringa can also be contributed to its diversity of housing options, from affordable, entry-level terrace homes to family-sized house and land packages, making it desirable to a full spectrum of buyers.”
Mr Sondergeld said Baringa was a carefully considered masterplanned community anchored by a community centre, primary school, high school, childcare centre, sports ground, shopping centre, tavern and several parks and green spaces.
‘Baringa’ means summit, a word inspired from the Kabi Kabi language. It was chosen as the official name of Aura’s first suburb to pay tribute to the Indigenous heritage of the local area.
Stockland Aura is located on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, close to Caloundra’s beaches and an easy commute to major business districts.
It is home to more than 10,300 residents and growing.
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