Vol. No. Vol. 2318No. 30 27
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Ararat projects primed P
BY DEAN LAWSON
rivate multi-million-dollar land projects are set to open the door for critical new housing opportunities in Ararat.
A Greenhill Lake Estate project, 16 years in the making, is now deep into final planning stages and a new Chalambar Golf Club development is also close to having a green light. Together the projects will ultimately add more than 260 residential lots to the city’s housing market. Both enterprises represent a major tick in a box in Ararat progress and development plans, which require population, infrastructure and service growth to succeed. Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said Ararat was in desperate need of housing land and the projects would ‘go a long way’ to resolving the issue. “There is obviously no doubt that regional Victoria has a general housing shortage and Ararat needs residential development. It is part of the planning socio-economic jigsaw puzzle Ararat needs to strongly move forward,” he said. “We’re confident that Ararat, being only two hours from Melbourne and with good connectivity, represents a great place for people to live.” Dr Harrison said he believed changing land-market circumstances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic had made private development in Ararat more attractive and the city needed to make the
most of the opportunity. An Ararat development group including Max Perovich, Andrew Eastick and Mark Damman is behind the Greenhill Lake Estate, on Ararat’s eastern fringe and including 158 parcels of land ranging from 600 to 10,000 square metres. About 80 percent of design work is complete with the developers now in the final design phase and close to pushing ahead with the 10 to 15-lot initial stage. First-stage lots will be about 2700 square metres. Mr Perovich said the hope was for stage one of the project to start as soon as possible. “As a group we have believed in the project since conception in 2004 when first presented to the council. All the stars are now lining up,” he said. “We hope to fill various voids in the market and expect the development to be ongoing for several years. “We have to manage it carefully and cautiously but there seems to be significant demand. “We believe it is extremely attractive – the vista is amazing – and feel it offers significant value. “It’s been in the mix for a long time. There’s a need for growth in the town and a need for building blocks.” Continued page 3
MARCHING ON: Music has been a lifelong passion for Natimuk’s Charlie McCuish, who performed for the last time on Australia Day. The musician retired from playing tuba in Natimuk Brass Band after a 68year commitment. Mr McCuish, 83, said late bandmaster Bill Schmidt played a key role in influencing his dedication to the band. He said friendships he formed during this time was among the most memorable parts of his music career. Story, page 16. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
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