The Hunter Valley’s newest development is beginning to look like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, after a challenging start. Stage one civil works are nearing completion at Wirraway Thornton, a Defence Housing Australia (DHA) residential development, after the site was effected by the storms that hit the area in April.
‘We had a lot of setbacks due to the weather,’ DHA Managing Director Peter Howman said. ‘But quick thinking from one of the local businesses we partner with allowed us to meet many of our milestones.’
The project’s civil contractor, Daracon, worked tirelessly to prepare the Wirraway site for the one-in-500 year storm that hit the region in April, causing extensive devastation in the community. Although Wirraway was put to the test, the efforts of Daracon and the natural fall of the site ensured that the development remained relatively dry, emerging with minimal damage.
‘Local contractors have been fantastic in achieving project milestones within our timeline. Thanks to their work we have been the lucky ones, but we thought that we should share this good fortune with the rest of the community.’
Thornton Public School, which received significant damage to one of its play areas, is still rebuilding. At an event to mark the start of construction this week the Principal of Thornton Public School, John Millburn, accepted a donation of $1,500 from DHA to assist in the redevelopment of a new play area.
‘Our involvement in the local area extends beyond the initial building phase, stretching into the future as Wirraway’s civilian and Defence residents transition into their new homes and establish themselves in the community,’ Peter Howman said.
In addition to this, throughout the life of the project, more than $145 million will be injected into the local economy through local businesses working directly on-site, as well as those off-site providing goods and services.
Wirraway in Thornton will look to transform currently vacant land into a beautiful parkland neighbourhood, characterised by high-quality homes, tree-lined streets, and shared community spaces. Together with local partner builders, Wirraway will be constructed over six stages and comprise 250 Defence homes that will encapsulate innovation, best-practice building and sustainable living.
Find out more at
wirrawaythornton.com.au