Development of former Kurri smelter site

An announcement in mid-­May by the Federal Government that it will spend up to $600 million to build a new gas-fired power sta­tion at Kurri Kurri was the trigger for the owners of the former Hydro Aluminium smelter site at Kurri Kurri to move ahead with their plans to develop the 2,000 ha site.

Acquired by property developers Stevens Group and McCloy Group in 2020 it is proposed to create a masterplanned, mixed use urban development with over 2,000 new residential homesites and a major industrial and business land subdi­vision. In addition, 1,000 hectares has been set aside for environ­mental and buffer zones. All the biodiversity required exists as part of this land.

The joint venture partners are planning to transform the smelter site into a model suburb, to be named Loxford Waters, with indus­trial and business areas and seven residential areas with associated shopping centre with access off Cessnock Road adja­cent to the Hunter Expressway.

The smelter ceased operations and per­manently shut down in 2014 with a loss of 600 jobs. Since then remediation work has been underway and is almost complete. The high-voltage power infrastructure installed for the smelter made the industrial land ideal to include power generation, including solar farm and battery storage as well as a gas peaking plant. A gas peaking plant in the Hunter region will guarantee its future as a one of Australia’s major manufacturing regions. “We also have data centres and waste to energy groups finalis­ing due diligence to be part of the site;’ said John Stevens Managing Director of Stevens Group. Mr Stevens founded the Stevens Group, a Central Coast based property developer, who is considered to be one of the most respected in the state and similarly the Newcastle based McCloy Group are regard­ed in the same light.

Stevens Group developed The Vintage in the Hunter Valley and among their more recent developments is The Foreshore Apartments at Toronto.

Mr Stevens said that the site is one of the most strategic sites in the Lower Hunter. “It’s not just a large block of land. It has got the freeway running right beside it and it fits
into the NSW Government, Cessnock and Maitland Councils’ growth plans. “It is the most exciting project Jeff and I have ever been involved in.”

Original article published by Edgar Adams on Central Coast Business Review, July 2021. View article online here.

Newcastle Golf Club members have voted to pro­ceed with a redevelopment which will convert part of the celebrated course into a seniors village. More than 80 per cent of eligible members voted for the plans at a meeting on Wednesday night. Newcastle Herald reported last year that club management had entered into a preliminary agree­ment with Principle Living, a joint venture involving two of the Hunter’s biggest property players, the Stevens Group and McCloy Group.

Sue Mann Nursing and Community Care is also in­volved in the project, which covers six hectares along Nelson Bay Road at Fern Bay and includes 64 units across two four-storey towers and about 80 houses and villas. The club will receive an up-front cash payment as part of a long-term lease of the land to the developers. The commercial deal is subject to the project win­ning Port Stephens Council and state planning approvals.

Newcastle is regularly rat­ed one of the top courses in Australia and is listed with the National Trust. The revised layout will include seven new or rede­signed holes. The club also plans to rebuild its green and bunker complexes.

Club general manager Christian Gillott said he was not concerned the changes would ruin the course. The four holes the club was losing, the 1st, 16th, 17th and 18th, were on “flat, fairly boring golfing country”, but the new holes would be on “really exciting, natural, roll­ing coastal sand dune”. He said the club’s board was pleased that a “fairly large portion” of members had supported the project.

The course work could start in mid-2022 and take about 16 months to com­plete. The course would stay open as an 18-hole layout during construction. Work on the seniors village would start after the course con­struction had finished.

newcastleherald.com.au | Michael Parris | November 12, 2020

Read the original article here

Topping out ceremony for the Foreshore development at Toronto.

Luke Gerathy, General Manager Richard Crookes Construction and John Stevens, Managing Director Stevens Group, spoke and congratulated the team for achieving this milestone. On Friday 31 July the official “Topping Out” ceremony was conducted for the exclusive waterfront apartments at Foreshore Lake Macquarie. This ceremony celebrates the milestone of the completing the concrete roof pour, to represent the completion of the structure of the luxury apartment building. Construction work will now move inside to commence the luxury fit-out of these spectacular apartments, with project completion scheduled for early 2021. Foreshore has been designed by EJE Architects and the Stevens Group to bring something truly special to this rare remaining waterfront site. Foreshore, additionally features a surrounding marina precinct which will add to resident’s lifestyle. Adding to the benefits of the waterfront location, enjoy easy access to the M1 Motorway, taking you to Newcastle or Pokolbin’s wine country in just 30 minutes and Sydney in 2 hours. See more about Foreshore Lake Macquarie here.

Foreshore Lake Macquarie has made significant progress in the structure over the past two months with the completion of blockwork to the lower levels, and ground floor suspended concrete slabs. The structure has continued to move upwards with majority of the Level 1 suspended concrete slabs also being poured.

In June, Level 2 structures in each building will be poured which will allow for the removal of formwork supports in the lower Levels. The removal of formwork will enable the contractor to commence the construction of the external façade leading to the fit out of apartments on the lower ground floor. Topping out of the structure is still on track for the end of July, marking a major milestone for the project.

One14 Tudor St has made significant progress over the past couple of months with the completion of three suspended slabs – with Level 2 being poured on 19th May.

Precast columns are installed from Level 2 to Level 4 with balustrades also installed to Level 3. The basement formwork and part of the ground floor has been stripped to allow the commencement of electrical and hydraulic works.

June will see the concrete slab pour of Level 3, laying of blockwork to ground floor, delivery of windows & door units along with the commencement of external wall framing to level 1.

Topping out of the structure is still on track for the end of July, marking a major milestone for the project.

Birrigan Iluka Beach is one of the latest exciting developments from Stevens Group. A new subdivision located along the Northern Coast of NSW, in the village of Iluka is ‘Birrigan Iluka Beach’. Located along the Clarence River, Birrigan Iluka Beach will offer a chance to build a home nestled amongst the natural beauty of Iluka, surrounded by a Gondwana heritage listed rainforest, the famous Clarence River, sandy beaches and more. Situated along the coast and only a 30-minute ferry ride to the famous Yamba, Birrigan Iluka Beach is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live on the pristine North Coast of NSW in a peaceful, village-like environment. View more about Birrigan Iluka Beach by clicking here to visit the website. 

On the 18th of January 2019, Stevens Group founder and managing director John Stevens and Ben Shoo, founding director of OneCollective, presented the plans moving forward for The Vintage, ‘Completing the Vision’.

If you would like to revisit the information or perhaps you were unable to attend, the presentation is available on our  NEW  website, linked here. Go to the ‘Connect’ section on the home page, then click through to discover more!

The Iluka residential estate is the last large residential land holding in the popular coastal village of Iluka, NSW. The Iluka village is located on the mouth and northern banks of the Clarence River and is bounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Iluka Nature Reserve and the Bundjalung National Park.

The residential estate is located directly adjacent to the Iluka Golf Course and is minutes from the village center and associated facilities such as the bowls club, hotel and Clarence River Fisherman’s Co-operative.

A Development Application has been lodged with the Clarence Valley Council for 140 residential allotments ranging in size from approximately 420m2 to 932m2.
The residential subdivision is located in proximity to regional national parks including the designated Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Iluka Nature Reserve), World Heritage Property and National Heritage Place.

A delegate for the Minister of the Commonwealth, Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) determined that the proposed subdivision is a “Controlled Action” within the meaning of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCA) and is to be assessed by way of the submission of Preliminary Documentation.

• (A) Iluka PD Report Only-min – PDF
• (B) BGLALC Letter – PDF
• (C) DEE Letters – PDF
• (D) Drawings – PDF
• (E) Landscape Masterplan – PDF
• (F) Habitat Management Plan – PDF
• (G) Keystone Ecological Res Rep – PDF
• (H) Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Protocol – PDF
• (I) Sections 00-02 – Original EPBC Act Ref Forms & Att – PDF
• (I) Sections 03-06 – Original EPBC Act Ref Forms & Att – PDF
• (I) Sections 07-09 – Original EPBC Act Ref Forms & Att-min – PDF
• (I) Sections 10-16 – Original EPBC Act Ref Forms & Att – PDF

Preliminary Documentation for the Iluka Residential Subdivision, Hickey Street, Iluka, New South Wales (EPBC 2017/8003) is available at the following link:

Invitation for Public Comment EPBC

Well known for it’s colourful, diverse hub of life and activity, Hamilton is the chosen home for the brand new contemporary development ‘One14 Tudor’. Only 100m to thriving Beaumont Street and 2.8km to the surf beaches of Newcastle, One14 Tudor offers that Cosmopolitan lifestyle.

One14 Tudor is a bold, dramatic building showcasing innovative contemporary architecture at its best. Generously proportioned 2 and 3 bedroom apartments featuring oversized balconies, One14 Tudor is ideally located to enjoy Newcastle’s vibrant lifestyle, with its thriving culinary culture, diverse entertainment and wonderful recreational attractions.

Visit Website – https://one14tudor.com.au/

Foreshore offers a collection of generous 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences, many featuring a study/media room, ensuring options for any lifestyle dynamic. High ceilings reiterate a sense of space and light creating seamless transition from indoors to outdoors with 4 metre wide balconies.

The beauty and serenity of lakefront living is enhanced by Toronto’s welcoming village feel and convenience to everything you need and love. Step out your door and stroll along the waterfront where you’ll find an array of laidback cafes or take a brief walk to supermarkets and all of your day to day amenities. Enjoy easy access to the M1 Motorway, taking you to Newcastle or Pokolbin’s wine country in just 30 minutes and Sydney in two hours.