The Hastings' $1.5 billion construction industry has been bolstered with work commencing on Port Macquarie's new $20 million display village.
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The Sovereign Hills Display Village, developed by the Lewis Land Group, is ready for its next chapter with 11 builders committing to the construction of 17 new innovative and energy-efficient designs in the Sovereign Hills master planned community in Port Macquarie.
The display village generates an estimated $132 million in local new home construction activity annually, or 58 per cent of the region's residential development which was valued at $227.5 million during the last financial year.
First cab off the rank was Pycon Homes and Constructions, pouring the foundations for two new homes which will showcase their workmanship and design range.
"It's been three-and-a-half years since the last display homes were built," Pycon's Adam Suitor said.
"Design trends, materials and colours are always changing so it will be great to release fresh new homes for everyone to view.
"The building industry is an essential part of and the largest contributor to the local economy.
"Pycon Homes uses all local trades and suppliers, and for each home that is constructed approximately 70 local businesses are involved at some level."
Joining Pycon in the new walk-through landscaped village - located parallel to the existing display village on Sovereign Drive - will be Perry Homes, Coral Homes, Adenbrook Homes, Hotondo Homes, McDonald Jones Homes, Vaughan Homes, Stroud Homes, Better Homes and Developments, Sorensen and Caldon Builders and Rob Tate Homes.
The village, the biggest between Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
"It will be the flagship of the Perry Homes display villages," Perry Homes' Luke Cini said.
"We feel the presentation, the location and the people make it a premier estate, but also the location is easily accessed by our other regions."
Coral Homes' Michael Wilson said the display village is an important step forward in bolstering local employment in challenging times.
"Employment is strong, it's a lifestyle destination with people from the north and south moving to the area, and we see this display village as a standout amongst its competitors for the value for money and the location."
Lewis Land Group's land sales manager Luke Moreta said the village will also be the greenest yet with builders encouraged to adopt sustainable building practices.
"This includes solar electricity, passive solar design principles and an increase in the use of sustainable building materials to boost the home's energy efficiency," Mr Moreta said.
"We are excited to see construction begin and applaud the resilience of our local builder group who continue to do business and move forward despite the COVID-19 challenges faced recently."
The construction industry makes the greatest contribution to the Port Macquarie-Hastings region's economic output.
At $1.5 billion per annum it accounts for 16.62 per cent of total output and around 3,000 local jobs.
These figures are expected to remain strong post-COVID-19, according to Jeffery Sharp, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's director of strategy and growth.
"We're proud to call ourselves one of Australia's strongest regional economies and are confident we'll continue to grow and prosper in spite of the recent challenges of COVID19.
"New residents and businesses tell us they love that we are big enough to offer a wealth of opportunity, but small enough that you can still enjoy our beautiful nature without any crowds.
"Recent times have demonstrated that we don't have to be in a 'workplace' to work effectively and Port Macquarie is the perfect place to live, work and enjoy a slower pace of life by our pristine beaches or in our rural hinterland."
Organic materials, thoughtful spaces and world class finishes will underpin the designs in the new display village.
"This will be an excellent opportunity for new home buyers to see and experience the latest in architecture and innovation within the industry," McDonald Jones Homes' David Malvern said.
The builders will start to transition to their new homes before Christmas with a grand opening anticipated during the first quarter of 2021.
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