Ivanhoe Estate will turn into a vibrant, integrated neighbourhood

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Mission Australia Housing, Frasers Property Group and Citta Property Group to transform Macquarie Park’s Ivanhoe Estate into vibrant, integrated neighbourhood

The development of a new mixed tenure community in Sydney’s Macquarie Park is set to redefine the way social, affordable and market housing are integrated together to provide a sustainable and inclusive neighbourhood for people from all walks of life.

The Aspire consortium, comprising community housing provider Mission Australia Housing with developers Frasers Property Australia and Citta Property Group, has been appointed by the NSW Government to redevelop and transform its 8.2 hectare Ivanhoe estate in Macquarie Park, under a project development agreement.

The project is part of the NSW Government’s Communities Plus program to redevelop and grow the Government’s social housing portfolio. Frasers Property Australia and Citta Property Group will bring their design and delivery expertise in integrated communities and Mission Australia will provide their extensive experience and ongoing services to ensure the success of the social housing model.

The innovative project is estimated to have an end value of approximately $2.2 billion and will see the creation of over 3,000 new dwellings, providing homes with access to infrastructure, transport, services and jobs, along with quality amenities and open green spaces to support a new vibrant, safe, integrated, cohesive and sustainable community.

The redevelopment of the Ivanhoe estate will seamlessly integrate private housing with at least 950 new social housing dwellings and 128 affordable homes. The social housing will be of the highest contemporary quality, sustainability and comfort with all social housing tenants having access to low to zero cost heating in the future development.

This important urban renewal project will also integrate a new high school, residential aged care facility with a seniors’ wellness centre, two childcare centres, a supermarket, cafés and specialty retail shops, jogging track, nature based playgrounds and exercise stations, basketball court, open green spaces and community gardens.

Aerial view of Ivanhoe Estate from east

Mission Australia will have staffed offices on-site to assist in the delivery of support services and programs to strengthen the local community.

Mission Australia CEO Catherine Yeomans said the new development will be a positive, evidence-based model for an inclusive and integrated community that provides homes and a community for people from varied socio-economic backgrounds.

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and everyone who lives in the Ivanhoe community will have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and connect with people in the neighbourhood, as well as having easy access to education, transport, jobs and services in the area, Ms Yeomans said

“Without a stable and safe place to call home, connecting with a community, raising a family, maintaining health and wellbeing and even just getting to work become major challenges. Ivanhoe provides essential community infrastructure as well as secure accommodation, and will be an inclusive and safe place to live,” she said.

Mission Australia Housing Executive Chris Bratchford added: “We know that mixed tenure, high density communities benefit from smart design, supportive management and proactive community building. This approach has been the foundation for our collaboration with Frasers Property and Citta Property Group.”

Rod Fehring, Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Property Australia, said Ivanhoe will blend best practice urban design, iconic architecture and world leading sustainability to transform the former social housing estate into a world-class residential neighbourhood.

With a focus on design and a holistic approach to environmental and social sustainability, the redevelopment of the Ivanhoe estate will be a flagship project for NSW, demonstrating how the government and private sectors can work together to deliver necessary social and affordable housing by taking a true long-term community view, Mr Fehring said

New high school from south-west

Stephen McMillan, Managing Director of Citta Property Group, said the consortium would bring a unique combination of skills and experience to this significant and innovative government project.

“Citta and Frasers Property have collaborated on a number of complex projects and with Mission Australia as part of the team, we look forward to creating an integrated and connected community for residents which they will be proud to call home,” said Mr McMillan.

Targeting a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating, the consortium aims for the Ivanhoe community to be carbon neutral in operation.

The development will incorporate a 1.5 megawatt photovoltaic system, green roofs, and will capture and re-use water. There will also be a focus on use of recycled materials and waste minimisation through construction.

Community wide initiatives such as extensive landscaped public domain, a car sharing scheme and active transport facilities will be complemented by health and well-being metrics through local programs and partnerships.

An integrated infrastructure solution with solar PV to reduce electricity peak demands, high efficiency centralised hot water, smart metering technology and minimised use of on-site gas will deliver reduced utility costs to residents.

The existing colony of protected Sydney Turpentine Ironbark trees will be preserved and the ecological corridor along Shrimptons Creek will be regenerated.

The project will also include new road intersections, local infrastructure upgrades and parking provisions, while a new bridge will connect residents with Macquarie Business Park.

As part of the project, dedicated funding generated through the redevelopment will be reinvested in social outcomes over 20 years. Mission Australia will coordinate a comprehensive suite of tailored, person-centred supports and services for social housing tenants who elect to access them. This approach will enhance social housing tenants’ capacity to achieve safety, stability and independence through employment, helping people to progress to alternative housing options.

“All levels of government should be looking to strengthen communities and directly assist households experiencing financial stress due to housing costs. Ivanhoe is an evidence-based model that provides affordable rental housing as well as much-needed social housing, ensuring that many people in real need will have a safe and secure home in a vibrant and well-connected community,” said Ms Yeomans.