First glimpse at Topalov family’s Meadow Rise estate

A well known Gympie family behind a new 27-lot Southside subdivision which has just gone on the market has revealed why Gympie was their choice for the new estate.

Developer Ben Topalov says his family’s long time plan of subdividing its land at Southside was driven by the family’s pride and confidence in Gympie, and a wish for other families to enjoy the Southside lifestyle.

The long-time Gympie family behind the Southside’s newest housing estate says it is not just their dream but a chance for them to offer a similar way of life to other families.

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Lots for the Meadow Rise estate are now on the market, with 27 blocks for sale about 1km southeast of the Southside Shopping Centre and 3km from the Gympie CBD.

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AR Developments Ben Topalov said his parents, Sue Topalov and long time Gympie dentist Dr Tim Topalov, bought the Copp Rd land many years ago and “had confidence in the town”.

Mr Topalov himself grew up in the region since he was “about six months old” and the development would offer families moving to the region the same chance to enjoy that family lifestyle.

This was one of the main reasons behind keeping block sizes above 600m sq.

Lots at the new Meadow Rise subdivision at Copps Rd are now selling on the market.

“We could have gone smaller,” Mr Topalov said.

One of the lots had an extended area of land attached which was intended to stay undeveloped as a wildlife corridor and green space, Mr Topalov said.

This was reflected in the choice of a kookaburra for part of the estate’s logo, too.

Developer Ben Topalov said the plans intentionally kept a green space and wildlife corridor at the south-eastern side of the 27-lot estate.

There was always a desire to “make a living” out of a subdivision, he said, “but what really gives you the kick is the end result... people starting to build their houses”.

Mr Topalov is now based on the Sunshine Coast, but unlike some people who say they are from the “Sunshine Coast hinterland” he was proud to claim Gympie as his home.

“I’m pretty proud of the town,” Mr Topalov said.

Mr Topalove said he was happy with how smooth the development process had been too: it took less than five months between submitting the application to Gympie Regional Council and approval being secured.