Downsizers and empty nesters will soon have options to stay in Medowie if projects worth a combined $28 million are approved.
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Long the home of large rural-resident lots, the two projects promise less yard work and upkeep, close to shops, without a teary farewell to friends.
Both projects are the result of state-determined targets for increased population density near to services that Port Stephens Council has catered for through planning.
The 238-home lifestyle village for over 50s - worth $17.8 million - is slated for 717-733 Medowie Road, with its own community centre and half-bowling green onsite, while boasting rural views.
Further along Medowie Road, behind the Coles and Woolworths is a 50 lot Torrens title development with parcels of land down to 350 square metres. Documents lodged with Port Stephens Council list the Tall Trees Estate's value at $10.5 million.
“Medowie has a significant large lot population and it's getting older,” Tall Trees Estate project manager Bob Lander said.
“You can drive around Medowie and see that some of the homes aren't as well maintained as they used to be particularly where they've lost a partner but they don't want to leave the community and their friends.
“This [estate] is close enough that they don't need a car and it's in an area that's been adjusted for this higher density living and the opportunity with some of these lots to execute courtyard homes that don't have a lawn but you can still grow some colourful plants."
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Mr Lander, as a director of development consultancy Tattersall Lander, took on the project on behalf of the Sampson and Takchi families. He was quietly confident it would meet council approval for subdivision.
"I think we're pretty close to the mark with this one," he said. "Council created the correct zoning to allow this to occur."
Meanwhile, Medowie Lifestyle Estate is in the planning proposal stages on a rural-zoned poultry farm.
Perception Planning director Matt Brown lodged plans on behalf of a consortium to have the farm rezoned for residential use.
"For many years Medowie has been overlooked, this is changing now with the long term vision of council, and the progress association which has been evolving over the last decade coming to fruition," he said.
"The proposed development will offer quality housing choices for people seeking high amenity community living options, close to shops and services, and in many cases family and friends, without the need to move far afield to obtain the same lifestyle."
Residents will have about 300 square metres of yard and Mr Brown said the homes would be of a higher standard than people had come to expect of lifestyle villages.
"Historically this has been people’s perception, nowadays the quality of construction is more reflective of conventional medium density development, built of modern materials," he said.
"The dwellings are not your ‘old style’ type relocatable homes, rather are attractive architecturally designed dwellings."
The council's strategic planning coordinator Jeffrey Bretag said Medowie was in need of sympathetic development to realise state-defined targets.
This could see it grow from 10,300 people to 17,500 residents come 2036.
"Medowie has been identified as an area for potential future further growth for some time now, by both local and state government," he said.
"Council adopted a revised Medowie Planning Strategy in December 2016 to help guide future development including areas for further investigation.
"It includes residential and rural residential areas."
