Property and investment group Jinding has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of sites in two states in Australia.
The developer has acquired four sites across South Australia and regional Victoria.
This marks a departure from the developer’s focus on Melbourne growth corridors and Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Jinding has bought sites at Mount Barker in South Australia and, in Victoria, at Tatura near Shepparton, Dennington near Warrnambool and Broadford north of Melbourne.
There are potentially more than 1200 lots across the sites with the total estimated end value calculated at $680 million.
The 43ha site at Tatura (an estimated end value of $110 million) has capacity for 400 residential lots, green space, wetlands and parkland with a Precinct Structure Plan [PSP] process under way with the Greater Shepparton City Council.
Approval has been secured for 460 lots at the 41ha riverfront site at Shannon Road, Dennington (an estimated end value of $140 million).
The 22ha site at 20 Bradfield Lane, Mount Barker in South Australia, will have 350 lots and parklands (an estimated end value of $110 million).
A 136.9ha site at 879 Broadford-Kilmore Road will be the first development site under the Broadford Structure Plan with capacity for 680 lots (an estimated end value of $320 million).
The sites were chosen as part of a strategy to diversify the company’s pipeline and for their location, according to Jinding developments general manager Andrew Ashwood.
“These sites are all strategically located in growth regions underpinned by strong employment, industry and population growth,” Ashwood said.
“The delivery of new housing, and the associated critical community infrastructure we bring, will contribute to the sustainable growth of these areas and long-term resilience.
“While we always want to be focused in Victoria, it makes good business sense to not place all of your eggs in one basket.
“The acquisition of these four sites further diversifies our holdings geographically, strategically positioning our portfolio for the next market cycle.”
Jinding’s pipeline is now valued at $2.3 billion with the new acquisitions.
The company is working on masterplanned communities The Patch at Wollert, Broadstead at Kilmore, Marriott at Armstrong Creek and has nearly completed its Octave project at Junction Village.
Jinding this year launched Dunhelen at Greenvale with 400 lots catering to downsizers, growing families and first homebuyers.
“People are keen to get into the market and they are buying, it’s just that many purchasers need a signal to move forward,” Ashwood said.
“We saw sales significantly jump in April before costs increased on May 1 with Victoria’s building code changes.
“There are also catchments where there has been very little supply for a long time.”
Jinding will continue looking for strategic acquisitions in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.
“Whether opportunities are located on the fringe of cities or in established regional cities, the fundamentals are all the same—good forecast population growth, local industry and a growing economy,” Ashwood said.
“By being willing to look outside of only fringe growth areas we are harnessing the success of the regional markets that experienced exponential growth throughout the pandemic, and continue to strengthen.”