Mirvac Commences Construction at West Pennant Hills
An Australian property developer, Mirvac has officially commenced construction on its new Highforest community at West Pennant Hills. The $830 million project will deliver 414 new homes and apartments.
The development is on the former IBM site and backs on to Cumberland State Forest and is close to the Cherrybrook Metro station. Mirvac’s CEO Development, Stuart Penklis was joined by NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully to turn the first sod earlier this month.
Plans for the development caused a community outcry when the planning process started including Hills Shire Council. Mirvac will deliver 165 detached and attached houses and 249 apartments, along with publicly accessible open spaces and a range of community facilities.
Mr Penklis said Highforest has been many years in the making and will be a true legacy project for Mirvac. “Proximity to the forest has shaped the masterplanning and architecture of Highforest, and our aim was to create a community that balances its unique location with the urgent need for housing in areas that are well-served by public transport, including the new Sydney CBD Metro.
“Mirvac was a pioneer in sustainable development more than two decades ago and we have drawn on that experience to create a place unlike any other in Sydney. It is fantastic to see Highforest coming to life, and we have worked with the community and local stakeholders to ensure that we are delivering something very special. We are committed to leaving this place better than when we found it,” said Mr Penklis.
“We are dedicating 10 hectares of endangered remnant forest to the public, replanting 1.5 trees for every tree removed – which equates to around 4,600 trees on site – and regenerating close to 10,000 square metres of forest.
We have also ensured the safe relocation of important endangered species, including the dural land snail, and are closely monitoring the powerful owl. Importantly, the built form of Highforest will be confined to the footprint of the existing office buildings and carpark which was formerly the IBM commercial offices, which will be transformed into a wonderful place for over 1,000 people to call home over the next four years,” said Mr Penklis.
Highforest will also include public spaces for the wider community to enjoy, including a cultural classroom with a yarning circle, walking trails connecting to the forest, playground, children’s bike track and shaded barbeque and seating areas.
