The new family-friendly communities coming to life in NSW’s Hunter region

When Cobey West and her husband Tony married, they knew exactly where they wanted to live.

The newlyweds built a modern home in the heart of Billy’s Lookout in Teralba, on the doorstep of Lake Macquarie in the Hunter Valley. The new community includes 70-plus hectares of land featuring parklands, waterways and nature tracks.

“I am from Teralba and so this area has a lot of meaning to me. Tony and I both wanted to stay here,” says Cobey.

“When Billy’s Lookout launched, we bought our block of land straightaway because we felt this community was the perfect place to raise children, and we could stay close to family and friends. We have plenty of choices of shops, hospital and schools and we’re close to the freeway that takes us to Sydney and Newcastle, so getting to work is easy.”

The couple, who were among the community’s first residents, enjoy walking to their local café and taking their “fur babies” along the nearby bushwalking trails, says Cobey.

“We’re close with our neighbours – I can call them if I need to borrow milk or eggs. My parents enjoyed that sense of community and it’s nice to enjoy that connection with our neighbours, too. Tony and I feel very lucky to live where we do.”

Billy’s Lookout is one of a series of communities being developed across Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Raymond Terrace and Medowie by local Hunter-based developer McCloy Group. Building is in the McCloy family blood; chairman Jeff McCloy today leads a business started by his grandfather during the Depression.

“We don’t just do ‘property development’ – we are not in the business of chopping up blocks of dirt and selling it off. We create communities where people of all ages love to live,” says McCloy.

“Our philosophy is always to put ourselves in the position of a buyer who wants to build a home for their family. We think about what they need and what they would like in their community – we want to create a life experience.”

Creating community and lifestyle means paying attention to detail. McCloy Group communities are rich in parks, pieces of public art, landscaped streets, walking and cycle tracks and playgrounds.

Communities are also located within easy reach of key hubs so residents have access to shops, schools, public transport, healthcare facilities and entertainment options.

“We have beautiful entry statements to our communities to show people they are coming home and our public art is always appreciated by our residents,” says McCloy.

“We use local artists as much as we can and the artwork creates points of interest because we don’t want to create places that are just kerb and gutter.”

Billy’s Lookout artworks are in the form of pelicans, anchors and propellers, while the McCloy Group community at Medowie, The Bower, includes bush-themed public art.

“I drive through our communities and feel a great sense of pride when I see so many people enjoying our amenities, like our parks. They are a place for mums and children and for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy time together. We also put in half-court basketball courts to give young people a place to burn some energy,” says McCloy.

“Knowing you’ve been part of creating a community where people are happy to raise their family is pretty special.”

McCloy Group communities:

– Billy’s Lookout, Lake Macquarie: This lakeside community in Teralba will eventually house 493 new homes surrounded by parklands, waterways and nature tracks.
– Brush Creek, Lake Macquarie: This 21-hectare community is situated in the suburban area of Edgeworth, with 206 home sites for sale.
– Heritage Parc, Maitland: Over half of this estate is dedicated to natural open space, with parks, playgrounds and expansive waterways connected by cycle ways and walking tracks.
– Potter’s Lane, Raymond Terrace: Named after the first settler of the region, James King, this 23-hectare neighbourhood will offer 231 land lots.
– The Bower, Medowie: Set on a spacious 127-hectares off Medowie Road, The Bower will consist of around 405 new homes, with plenty of open space.
– The Gardens, Medowie: This new community will offer residents a convenient stroll to the local Medowie shopping centres and a 35-minute commute to Newcastle CBD.

DOMAIN.COM.AU | 15th June 2020 | Read Original Article