A subdivision that is estimated to cost close to a million dollars has been approved for the outskirts of Wagga, which has been a long time coming for one resident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Butterbush Road in Gregadoo will soon extend as Lake Albert residents Judith and John Duke submitted a development application for an 18 lot lifestyle subdivision.
However, Mr Duke sadly passed away just before Christmas when the subdivision was still passing through council.
"It's taken a long time to proceed and this approval is at long last, but John died before we got this finished and it was heartbreaking," Mrs Duke said.
Mrs Duke said it has taken quite a few years to get to this stage.
"I can't wait to get them subbed and sold as I'm getting old," she said.
"It can now move ahead very quickly; everyone is ready to go and I'm hoping they can start this week, but I can't guarantee."
The subject site is located at the northern end of Butterbush Road and encompasses an area of approximately 76 hectares, with each lot ranging from four to five hectares.
Mrs Duke estimated these lifestyle blocks will be sold for about $479,900 each and suits families who want some privacy without being too far from services.
"These small acreages are very popular, especially for families who have children who want a horse, as there's a pony club just down the road too," she said.
"A lot of people also like a lifestyle where their neighbours aren't by their kitchen window.
"There is demand, but not everybody will want it."
Mrs Duke's grandchildren and eight-year-old twins Xander and Jorjii McDonald said they love living a rural lifestyle.
"We have lots of space to run around, we can climb rocks, we have room to make bonfires and we can play with dogs and ride horses," Xander said.
The subdivision is not a staged proposal, but Mrs Duke expects not all lots will sell at once.
"We've got a couple of people who have put their name down and people can soon look at a plan and put their name on it, before they're completed," she said.
"I'm sure by the end of the year, blocks will start being sold and homes can get organised as well.
"The lots won't sell at once, it will be a slow process, but there are people who like this lifestyle and the school bus goes down the road, with schools and services in Lake Albert.
"It's a very friendly community here and I've been quite amazed," she said.
According to the development application, the site has been used for agricultural purposes and as a result the land is predominantly cleared of vegetation and relatively undeveloped for purposes other than agricultural.
Telecommunications and electricity will be provided by Telstra and Essential Energy respectively.
Gregadoo resident and Mrs Duke's brother Malcolm Edgar said these lots are a location of choice.
"These are in close proximity to Lake Albert and the airport and builders have acknowledged this an area they would like to see further developed," he said.
Housing Industry Association Wagga branch president Tony Balding said these lifestyle blocks are consistent with plans to grow the community and meet future needs.
"We need lots of different types of housing to reach population targets and this will become an important mix," he said.