15 minute read
17 Set course for a laid-back lifestyle
Back to life
Transforming a working quarry into a lush new neighbourhood.
From a working quarry to one of Brisbane’s most eligible – and elevated – new residential communities, this is a story of bringing a landscape back to life, and into its own.
The development team at Frasers Property Australia are no strangers to difficult challenges. From abandoned breweries and disused docks to former hospital grounds and even a colonial immigration building, there have been plenty of sites over the years utterly transformed by the company’s talent for urban renewal. Some, like Sydney’s Central Park, have gone on to be the most awarded projects in the country. Others, like Melbourne’s Burwood Brickworks, have achieved new global standards of sustainability.
None though, offer a more dramatic contrast between former use and future vision than the Keperra Quarry in Brisbane.
Located just 9kms north-west of Brisbane’s CBD, Keperra is a suburb notable for its leafy streets and the imposing presence of Enoggera Hill, part of the heavily wooded Taylor Range escarpment that runs all the way from the D’Aguilar Range to the Gallipolli Barracks. Located on the western side of Enoggera Hill lies the Keperra Quarry, which supplies Brisbane with granite and bushrock for retaining walls, landscaping features, and road aggregate.
The almost 50-hectare site is now owned by Frasers Property Australia, who have plans to create a new residential community for those seeking to live a more elevated life.
Where some developers would be daunted by the quarry’s scarred and scalloped surfaces, the team from Frasers Property’s Queensland division saw the potential to do something transformative and special.
“The redevelopment of the quarry is without doubt complex and challenging,” says Frasers Property’s General Manager Development, Scott Ullman. “By the same token, we love a challenge. We love a problem to solve. And we’ve been able to approach this site in a way that absolutely solves the challenges around verticality and those hard rock faces. It takes vision and determination, but I couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities we have here to create a really fantastic place to live.” So how do you transform a former quarry into a sought-after residential enclave for approximately 550 homes and still maintain 45% of the site for open space? The key, says Damian Thompson, Lat27 Director and the project’s landscape architect, is to bring the landscape back to life – regenerating, reforming, and reconnecting it with surrounding natural elements, including woodlands and sky.
“The thing that strikes you immediately when you drive up on the site is the views. Because you’re at an elevation that’s up to 190m above sea level, there are these incredible panoramic views that take in Moreton Bay and the Glasshouse Mountains,” says Damian. “It’s just incredible that this exists so close to the city. As landscape architects, it’s really rare because we get to deploy all of our technical thinking, research, and skills to find a new way for that landscape to colonise the quarry face. What we’ve got in Australia is a very resilient, adaptable landscape. And we’re going to nurture that landscape to recolonise with this place.”
Keperra, QLD
The plans for the project include an array of architecturally designed townhomes; land allotments with flat building pads between 100m and 170m above sea level; residents’ centre including gym, pool and community spaces; village green and ample places to exercise in the outdoors while taking in the breathtaking views. Layers of landscaping will help create thresholds through which people will move from street level to shared communal spaces to private living.
Holly Nielsen, Artist “There’ll be a welcoming central heart to the community,” says Damian. “The residents’ centre will be a place to meet and mingle with friends and neighbours, or spend some time enjoying the amenity in quiet contemplation. You’ll be able to go for a swim or stretch out and relax under the shaded dark green foliage around the pool, enjoying that beautiful subtropical landscape and superb climate we’re known for up here. And as you move out to the outer edges of the precinct, the landscape will have more of a connection back to the bigger macro eucalypt woodlands of the hill.”
The vision for the landscape reformation has been captured in the irrepressible style of local Brisbane artist, Paperhands (aka: Holly Nielsen), commissioned by Frasers Property to produce an original artwork to feature in the project’s marketing material. Showcasing the many species of botanicals to be reintroduced as well as the interplay of earth, sky, and stone, the painting imagines the verdant future Frasers Property has planned for the site.
“When it came to redeveloping this former quarry,” says Frasers Property Development Director Ryan McDade, “where many looked and saw only complexity, we saw a unique canvas offering unlimited potential. We think Holly has captured that beautifully, and it’ll be exciting to see the artwork come to life in the recreation centre for people to enjoy when they come up and visit us.”
Quarry 4054, QLD
Quarry 4054, QLD
This exciting new community is under construction and expected to launch to the public in early 2022. For sales enquiries and more information, visit keperraliving.com.au or contact Frasers Property on 13 38 38.
Faces of Fairwater
Walking around Fairwater, you’d never guess that just 10 years ago this thriving neighbourhood was a private golf course. Fairwater’s prosperous community spirit and abundance of greenery are the markings of a much more established neighbourhood – a testament to the passion and pride of the project’s team and residents alike.
It’s hard to narrow Fairwater’s charm down to just one thing. Is it the people who live there? The pride of the team who have developed it? Or maybe it’s the community’s connection to each other as well as to nature and the abundance of open green spaces?
While person to person this answer may differ, there’s one thing that is in general consensus: Fairwater is truly something remarkable.
Formerly the site of a private golf course, Fairwater has been transformed into a neighbourhood where nature abounds, thanks in part to the previous vegetation of the site. “We’ve been able to preserve a lot of the features that really defined the golf course,” reflects Raymond Baksmati, the project’s Development Director. “It had substantial trees but degraded waterways. We’ve been able to protect these key landscaped elements, rejuvenating them and making them a focus for our new community.”
With its tranquil surrounds and 9.5 hectares of dedicated open spaces – including ponds, wetlands, and waterways – Fairwater had the makings to be something great right from the start. But it turns out, the secret ingredient was the diverse and welcoming community who would make Fairwater home.
A place is nothing without its people, and the faces of Fairwater have become the heart and soul of the project. And who better to tell the story of this community’s transformation than those who witnessed it firsthand?
Fairwater, NSW Fairwater, NSW
Brahmleen Kaur – Resident
From the moment Brahmleen first set foot in Fairwater, she knew she had found her future home. “We were enticed by the peaceful, calm ambience of the community. The beautiful lake right in the middle of the property seemed like an oasis.
“The biggest transformation for me personally since we first moved in, was the development of the Central Park. It’s wonderful to see kids enjoying the play area and open spaces, especially in these testing times because of COVID-19. For adults, it’s a great place to exercise, go for a run or a leisurely walk too.
Jason Meaden - Resident
While a Facebook ad was what initially caught Jason and his partner’s attention, it was Fairwater’s location in thriving Blacktown that won them over.
“What excited me was the ability to get a new house in an established suburb, as opposed to a brand-new area. Because Fairwater was built on an old golf course, a significant number of the trees have been kept, and they had the ability to really landscape the parks, gardens, and wetlands. It’s also in an area where there’s already public transport and shops established. So, while the community is still very much new, it just felt like it’s been here for a while.
“Before Fairwater, I spent about 20 years living in apartments. I don’t think I ever knew any of my neighbour’s names, even those in the apartment next to me. Whereas here, it just feels like a community. People acknowledge each other while walking the dog. I probably know 20 people by sight, just from wandering around the community and from various community events.” Kimberley Beverley - Resident When Kimberley first moved into Fairwater in 2018, she was living at her uncle’s place. Fast forward two years later, and she and her sister have moved into their own home in the community.
“Initially, we were actually trying to find places outside of Fairwater. Since our uncle was already here, we didn’t want to be annoying by living so close to him. But then, everything was just leading us back to Fairwater. We love the environment and people here. We thought, since we already know this place and enjoy the area, we might as well buy our home here.
“Our place is right across from Central Park. When we first moved in, there was nothing but grass and trees. Since then, the space has really come to life. There’s a playground and we even got to go and plant a tree there as well. During lockdown especially, it’s been great to see people getting outside and enjoying the area.”
Fairwater, NSW Om Dhungel - Community Engagement Consultant and Resident
Om is both a resident of Fairwater, as well as Fairwater’s Community Engagement Consultant. Wearing both hats gives him the opportunity to engage and help shape the neighbourhood, while each help provide a different perspective.
“For me, the most rewarding part of working and living in Fairwater is to get to do what I am most passionate about, which is bringing people together to create a community. What started as converting strangers into neighbours by saying hello, has grown into this wonderfully connected place. It’s great, having this opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people with so many different points of view. Blacktown is so multicultural, we have residents from over 188 nationalities here.
“What makes Fairwater truly special, is that rather than focusing on our differences, we come together as a group to celebrate everything. While we have different cultures, different foods, and different languages, that right there is our common denominator – our differences add to the richness of the community. And from that, many different initiatives and committees have been born — such as the Fairwater Events Committee and the Green Fairwater Committee. There are so many people here wanting to do something for the wider community.”
Fairwater, NSW Raymond Baksmati – Development Director
When it comes to the transformation of Fairwater, there’s no one more in the know than Raymond. Sitting at the helm of the project as Fairwater’s Development Director since 2014, he’s had a hand in all the milestones and successes along the way. Now, he gets to sit back and watch the fruits of his labour come to life.
“We build infrastructure, like parks, waterways, cycleways, roads and homes, but without people living in those homes — using the parks and cycleways — it doesn’t mean anything. When people interact in these spaces, live, and share their experiences with each other, they create a vibrant sense of place.”
“I still remember that first time we witnessed a resident young family pushing a pram with a newborn in the evening as the sun was setting. It was upon completion of the first stage of homes, the entry parks had just been completed, and the Fairwater team were packing up after a community information session. As this couple walked past the lake and sales centre window the team all turned to watch them, a little smile from them and acknowledgement from us, as they made their way across the pedestrian bridge over the lake to sit and watch the sun setting. That little moment to me was something very special. It truly highlighted the importance of designing for people and community in our projects. And if you get it right, they’re the ones creating that sense of place and belonging.”
“Seeing the residents move in, their passion and pride for Fairwater neighbourhood, has been fantastic. They’re very keen to be a part of the wider community, their strength is in their diversity. I think we’ve tackled community development from a very authentic position, and I haven’t seen that level of energy and enthusiasm from a community on other projects that I’ve worked on. And that’s just testament to the amount of pride the residents have in this community. This place that we’ve created.”
Foundations for a better future
How the PIF House Program is changing the lives of Melbourne’s at-risk and homeless youth.
The job of tackling youth homelessness is a big one. But with the help of friends throughout the property and construction industry donating time, materials, and expertise, the Property Industry Foundation and Frasers Property are making a difference one home at a time.
PIF House Clayton, VIC Home. House. Property. Pad. Digs. Dwelling. Residence. These are many different words, each used to describe what is in its most basic form, a shelter. The word may immediately conjure up thoughts of beach shacks built with bamboo and palm fronds, but there’s a little more to it.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a commonly referenced psychological theory that suggests having one’s basic needs met is a necessary prerequisite to pursuing a fulfilling life. In this hierarchy, shelter – along with food, water, and sleep – is positioned as the most basic need for a human being.
Yet over 43,500 young Australians are spending the most critical developmental period of their lives without a safe place to lay their heads at night.
It’s why Frasers Property Australia have partnered with the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) and the Lighthouse Foundation to construct a home for at-risk and homeless young people in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton.
As a transitional home, the Clayton PIF House is a safe haven and stepping-stone on the path to a brighter future for young people transitioning from crisis accommodation. Having a place to call home helps with establishing a routine and getting back to school or going on to further education. It adds up to having a better chance of gaining employment and more permanent and secure housing in the long run.
The home is the third house that Frasers Property Australia has helped to build for the Property Industry Foundation, with homes already constructed in Blacktown, NSW and Bonbeach, VIC. It’s also the second as part of the national PIF House Program, established in 2017.
Beyond four walls and a roof, the home provides its residents with live-in carers and counsellors who can provide round the clock support, mentoring, and life skills to help rebuild young lives and transition residents into independent living. “Our expertise is in building places people can call home, but we know that not everybody is able to access a safe and secure home environment,” says Sarah Bloom, General Manager Development at Frasers Property. “Rising levels of homelessness are really concerning and it’s up to those in the community, including developers like us, to be a part of the solution.”
Simon Benjamin, CEO of Lighthouse Foundation says that the home’s potential impact on young lives cannot be understated. “Young people come here with nowhere to live, which means they can’t focus on things like school or employment,” explains Benjamin. “Once they’re settled here, we can then help them overcome the difficulties of their past in order to have a brighter future.”
Over its lifetime, the home will see 50-60 young people pass through its doors, each one awarded the time, attention, dedication, care and opportunities they need to grow and flourish both within themselves and in society.
For Development Director, Alex Newell, the project is a great example of the company’s commitment to causes it can meaningfully contribute to. “To be able to be part of a team that delivers a place for young people to feel safe in a secure and supportive home is a source of great pride to me personally. It’s a really tangible example of the Frasers Property commitment to social responsibility and giving back to the community.”
PIF House Clayton is expecting to welcome residents in late 2021.
Mambourin takes shape
Mambourin is a community with a difference. An unprecedented level of amenity means you’ll discover everything you need to live, learn, and play right here in the neighbourhood. And the best part? Nothing is more than five minutes away.
