Groundbreaking start for Yarrah development on Yass River

Construction of a new housing development at Yass is officially underway as the first sod has been turned at Yarrah.

About 40 minutes from Canberra, Yarrah nestles into a curve of the Yass River and adjoins the Yass township. It offers affordable land and housing options to first homeowners, families, singles and empty nesters.

Even in these early days, and despite a wet winter and COVID-19 lockdown, the Yarrah development is on a roll.

The first stage is expected to be completed within 12 months and comprises 62 residential lots, all of which have already sold except for one riverbank block. Houses are expected to start going up by this time next year.

The flow-over inquiry from Stage 1 has seen 99 per cent of Stage 2 also sell out. Stage 3 planning has been brought forward and is expected to come onto the market towards the end of 2021.

Yarrah offers a diversity of lots, with the sizes in Stage 1 ranging from 450 to 901 square metres and averaging 628 square metres. Lot prices started at $146,000, and a record price for Yass was achieved for one of the river corridor lots, going for $410,000.

Yarrah project manager Jack Walker said affordability, diversity and open space are key objectives for the new development.

“What we’re seeing is the market’s recognition that Yarrah will be a special place to live in Yass,” he said. “Purchasers are excited by the prospect of living in a place where the river’s ambience and the relaxed Yass lifestyle come together in a community created around and between parks, schools, shops, recreation, entertainment and jobs.”

Mr Walker explained that Yarrah will deliver more land to the market, helping to ease supply constraints for housing and commercial space through the planned ‘activity centre’.

In its pursuit of having something for everyone, Stage 1 also incorporates two ‘super lots’. One of these will accommodate an activity centre and the other a retirement village with 60 dwellings.

Mr Walker said the retirement village – to be operated by Oak Tree Group – is still subject to development approval from Yass Valley Council, but it is “very close” to happening.

“This will bring much needed age-appropriate housing to the valley,” he said.

Yarrah will help to provide housing options for people aged 55 and above so they can maintain their place in a community they know and love.

Woden Contractors, one of the oldest privately owned civil construction companies in Australia, has been engaged to complete the first stage of construction at Yarrah.

“We’re excited to see the past 11 months of pre-construction work with Woden Contractors crystallise in line with the vision for Yarrah,” said Mr Walker.

“We’re confident that not only will Woden Contractors deliver quality outcomes in a professional manner, but we’re also glad to see they are employing staff who live locally, and engaging local subcontractors and material suppliers where possible.”

Mr Walker said the Yarrah development isn’t just about delivering positive flow-on effects to the community in the future, it’s also about the here and now.

“Yarrah is not only delivering affordable land and housing options, it is bringing substantial investment into the local economy, helping to drive much needed local jobs and economic growth,” he said.

Visit Yarrah: Yass River for more information on land prices, or to book your appointment with the sales team when COVID restrictions allow.