Major million dollar Ipswich estate at White Rock key to housing diversity

An Ipswich housing estate championed as the key to providing affordable housing for low to moderate income earners is gaining momentum as the region’s population continues to boom.

Located in one of the nation’s largest growth areas, a 229-housing estate in Ipswich’s Ripley Valley is gaining momentum after having a new layout endorsed by the council.

The Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) is located in one of the largest urban growth areas in Australia covering an area of 4680 hectares. Picture: Mark Calleja

The 24ha of land, which sold for $4m, will not only include only include residential lots but also a proposed fuel station, fast food shops, display homes, and a sales office.

The size of the lots will vary from 300m² to 600m² and may coast at least $329,575.00 and upwards of $659,462.50.

According to realestate.com.au 450m2 parcels of land in the same area are selling between $359,000 and $665,000.

The development site plans at 254 Barrams Road, White Rock. Picture: LandPartners

The APD Projects’ development is located in one of Queensland’s most sought after locations.

The Ripley Valley Priority Development Area population is destined to hit a population of 120,000 people before 2025, and at least 50,000 new homes.

In December 2021, the Planning Institute of Australia said housing diversity is essential to ensure people aren’t priced out of the market.

As a part of an approval process for the new estate at White Rock just east of Ripley’s town centre, APD Projects and LandPartners submitted a report detailing the development’s affordability.

“This (project) will guide the development of diverse and affordable housing options,” the report stated.

“A range of design proposals, price points and tenures will be incorporated to achieve optimal economic, environmental and social sustainability.”

Other major developments skirt the White Rick estate. Picture: ICC

Land partners said based on the Ripley Valley Urban Development Area Development Scheme, no more than 25 per cent of the ‘affordable’ homes will be available for first time home buyers and “key workers”.

“The overall cost of servicing a mortgage for low to moderate income households represents no more than 35 per cent of a household’s gross housing income, or 30 per cent of their gross household income for renters”.

The affordability of the homes will be worked out based off the annual median income of the Ipswich’s local government area which was $73,320 based on the 2016 census.

The suggested weekly affordable rent based on incomes will range from $212 to $423, although only five per cent of homes will be available for low income earners who make between $36,660 and $57,923.

The Ripley Valley was declared a Priority Development Area in 2010, and Property Ventures and LandPartners submitted their first application for the development in 2018, which was approved by the Ipswich City Council in March 2021.