Defence Housing Australia Launches $78 million Housing Project in Ipswich

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has unveiled their latest project, Torhaven, to the Ipswich community by marking the inaugural excavation works on the site in Deebing Heights.

The $78 million project covers 27 hectares and will comprise 294 land lots. It will deliver approximately 100 homes for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families, supporting the Air Force and Army at Ipswich’s Amberley base.

Construction will be completed in two stages - the first stage will see the completion of 56 homes in September 2018, and the second stage will see another 69 homes completed in September 2019.

Land lots will be marketed for public purchase across both stages, starting from late 2017.

"Our vision for Torhaven is to create a sustainable and safe parkland community that’s characterised by high quality homes, tree-lined streets and shared community spaces," Macdonald said.

Approximately $2 million will be spent on parks and open space which will cover about 20 per cent of the site.
Property services group Oliver Hume has been appointed sales and marketing agent for the project.

Oliver Hume Queensland Managing Director Brinton Keath said the project was well positioned to take advantage of the strong market for new land in the Ipswich growth corridor.

“This corridor presents some of the best value buying of anywhere in Queensland at the moment,” he said.

“We would expect to experience strong demand from local buyers looking to upgrade into a new home as well as families moving to the area for employment opportunities.”

Torhaven is a name derived from Tor, a high rocky hill, and haven, a place offering favourable opportunities or conditions. This directly references the site’s natural features and honours the use of the site by the local Rawlings family for over 40 years.

DHA acquired the site on 19 May 2015 from Mr Andrew ‘Andy’ Rawlings and his wife, Sandra, who are members of the same Ipswich family that founded Rawlings Shoes and Menswear in 1898. The Rawlings’ store still exists in its original location at 137 Brisbane Street in the Ipswich CBD.

"To begin this project alongside a family who has called Ipswich home for some 115 years is an honour and is in the true spirit of the community feel we hope Torhaven personifies," Mr Macdonald said.

Construction is due to start in September 2017 and the sales launch of the first 62 retail lots was scheduled to start from November 2017.