Attorney-general Vickie Chapman, Walker Corporation CEO Lang Walker and Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty turn the first sod of the Riverlea development at Buckland Park. PHOTO: Brendan Simpkins
Brendan Simpkins
IT has been 14 years in the making, but one of the state’s largest property developments finally got under way on Friday morning.
Property tycoon Lang Walker turned the first sod on Riverlea at Buckland Park, South Australia’s newest satellite suburb.
The project was first gazetted in 2007 by then-minister for planning Paul Holloway, before it was given development approval in 2010.
A series of delays followed, but Mr Walker’s vision is now reality.
Speaking to The Bunyip, Mr Walker said he never lost faith the development.
“I knew it would always come to fruition, sometimes it is patience and getting it right and tweaking to make sure you are aligning with the market,” he said.
“But I never had any doubt it would be going ahead.”
He described it as a “ground-breaking” for his company, Walker Corporation, with the development already generating interest from purchasers and home builders.
Walker Corporation will invest $3 billion over 20 years into the Riverlea development.
The suburb spans more than 3000 acres and will feature a 50 hectare lake system, 420 hectares of open space and 35 kilometres of bike paths.
More than 30,000 residents are expected to flock to the suburb, with 12,000 housing lots across five precincts.
Four new schools will also be constructed, as well as retail centres, restaurants and commercial offices.
Around 10,000 jobs are expected to be created.
Thirteen building groups have already signed on, including Dechellis, Metricon, Sterling and Rivergum.
Lots will range in size from 300 up to 1000 square metres, with house and land packages starting from $309,000.
Mr Walker said already 500 inquiries and 40 exchanges of contract had been received.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said it was “fantastic” the development was finally off the ground after a lengthy wait.
“All we ever hope for in our developments across the community is well-planned, orderly development that provides safe and secure housing, economic opportunity and is sustainable to our environment,” he said.
He said Riverlea would change the physical landscape of the northern suburbs and drive the economic growth of the state.
Attorney-general and minister for planning Vickie Chapman was on deck to turn the sod with Mr Walker and Mr Docherty.
Residents are expected to start moving in towards the end of the year.
