Lahey Constructions began work in November and will next month begin to fit-out the lower levels before the roof goes on the third floor in July.

A second apartment block behind it will reach four storeys and despite the concerns of some neighbours, work had progressed smoothly according to Lahey Constructions project manager Bernard Pociask.

“From our point of view we’ve been surprised how supportive and accommodating the neighbours have been,” he said.  

The project is no small undertaking. When complete it will contain 4000 cubic metres of concrete with 60 per cent poured as of last week.

Lahey did have Newcastle offices but has in recent times been Port Macquarie based.

“It’s our first project with Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care and our first project in the Hunter in quite a while,” Mr Pociask said.

The project, worth close to $27 million, is expected to have a flow-on benefit to the Port Stephens economy.

On average Mr Pocsiask estimated there was 80 workers on site each day with a peak of 150 people.

“We’ve very much targeted local subbies, about 80 per cent,” Mr Pociask said.

“We employed a Sydney foreman and he’s rented five houses here.”

Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care general manager Sheree Gemmell said the selected tender process had stipulated the need to “employ local”.

“We talked about it right from the contract stage,” Ms Gemmell said.

“It’s what we wanted to achieve; keeping business in the region, which has happened, even the shops here at Salamander Bay are benefiting from workers buying their lunch.”

The units when complete will largely be two-bedroom in design, with just two three-bedroom units on offer.

Ms Gemmell said there was a waiting list across its homes of 800 people, 200 who specifically want a place at Salamander Haven.

She said Lahey had worked hard to minimise the impact on existing residents.

“They’ve been holding regular updates with our residents,” she said.

“We’ve structured the traffic control in such a way to minimise any impacts.”

Planning begun in consultation with Port Stephens Council in 2015.

Weather permitting the project has a March 2019 scheduled completion date.