Defence Housing Australia (DHA) creates new communities to house defence force families all across Australia. One of the most exciting elements about their many property developments is the focus on environmental sustainability, social interaction, and carefully considered house designs. In the DHA’s Wirraway Estate they’ve worked extremely hard to ensure the 500 families (250 of which will be members of the defence force) feel at home in this innovative Hunter Valley town – and Valley Homes is proud to be building another 40 incredible homes over 35 weeks for 2018’s Stage 4 build.

Wirraway Estate is a certified EnviroDevelopment

As a certified EnviroDevelopment each home built in Wirraway Estate will have a minimum 6-star energy rating, feature solar panels, a 3000 litre rainwater tank, and comply with strict landscaping and house design guidelines to maximise natural solar access. This is an exciting new way of building estates and property development in general, which has a clear focus on sustainable living. It is part of our complete service to new home builders who are buying into Wirraway Estate to ensure all environmental guidelines are met before we submit any plans to Maitland City Council on our clients’ behalf – simplifying the path towards a new home.

Through our work on earlier stages (Stage 3 now selling!), we can confidently say building a home in a development that is focussed on minimising environmental impacts, maximising sustainable living, and promoting healthy lifestyles can only be good for the families who will get to reap the benefits of such a thoroughly planned town – and through our comprehensive services the process is very similar to building without house design guidelines. 

Architectural vision and harmonious aesthetics

From environmental enhancement through to the house designs themselves, every element of Wirraway Estate has been planned down to the finest detail – and our team of house designers at Valley Homes have become true experts at designing a DHA compliant home in-line with the overall architectural vision of the Wirraway development. This includes working with clients to ensure correct building orientation and siting is achieved, facades suit specific neighbourhood theming, roofing is consistently pitched and finished, garages and driveways are thoughtfully positioned, outdoor entertaining areas enjoy ample winter sun, preferred materials and colours are adhered to, as well as allowing for future landscaping.

While the guidelines are comprehensive the DHA actively encourage innovation and variety in architectural expression, so there is ample room for home builders to design a home that reflects their unique personality and lifestyle, while seamlessly fitting into the aesthetics of the estate – and our property designers get to do what they are great at, design beautiful, liveable homes. In fact, one of the homes we built in an earlier stage for Wirraway Estate was nominated as a finalist in the HAI Awards 2017.

Quality construction and safety

With so many homes to build in such a short period of time it is paramount that construction quality and safety isn’t compromised. We are proud to announce that Valley Homes are finalists in the Hunter Safety Awards 2018 for our Workplace Health & Safety processes on all of our DHA sites. Our project managers have proven in earlier stages of construction that our upcoming Stage 4 works are set to continue to deliver new homes of impeccable workmanship and building quality.

In line with the DHA’s environmental commitments, there is also a focus on using recycled materials and reducing waste where possible in Wirraway Estate, this includes utilising materials with low volatile organic compounds to improve indoor air quality. It has been a rewarding process for our house designers and builders to work together to ensure the building solutions live up to these requirements while delivering liveable homes for our clients.

Stage 3 now selling – Stage 4 on its way!

A truly special housing project, Wirraway Estate in Thornton is at times a logistical, design and environmental challenge. However we are proud to have exceeded expectations in earlier stages and are continuing to build 40 incredible homes in Stage 4. Central to Maitland and Newcastle, and of course not far from the RAAF Base in Williamtown, the new estate has many positive attributes in addition to its innovative town planning and house designs. Location benefits include established shopping areas, as well as quality school and childcare facilities. Making it an exciting project not only for our team but also for the community who will call it home.

If you would like to see some of the homes we have built in earlier stages to help draw inspiration for your own piece of Wirraway paradise, please take a look at our gallery. It is exciting to see the variety of house designs and floor plans that are possible in a beautifully planned, environmentally sound, modern estate.

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Simply get in touch with our team today if you are interested to find out how you can be part of this innovative Thornton-based, Hunter Valley community.

WIRRAWAY ESTATE – Stages 1 and 2: