We’re designing a community that respects Country, responds to a changing climate and protects coastal landscapes for future generations.

The project celebrates the site’s natural and cultural heritage with a dedicated heritage trail centred on Indigenous culture, and will look to using locally sourced materials like stone and driftwood in our landscape design. Throughout the planning process, we’ve worked closely with the Indigenous Design Unit of the NSW Government Architect’s Office, the Lakkari Native Title group (Worimi and Biripi people) and the Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council. Their knowledge and guidance are helping us design a new community that meaningfully respects and reflects Country and its heritage.

• preserving vegetation along the western edge of the site, with a beach buffer along the eastern edge to accommodate any potential sea level changes over time
• mitigating potential groundwater flooding through drainage that includes integrated storage basins
• improving water quality with drainage basins and swales to capture and filter rainfall
• minimising the impacts of extreme heat with light-coloured buildings, street furniture and play equipment where possible
• increasing tree planting and water features to help reduce temperatures during summer
• orienting homes to improve natural ventilation and support more comfortable living year-round.

Around 327 hectares of coastal ecology will be conserved and protected in perpetuity as a stewardship site, including wetlands, coastal vegetation and important habitat for native plants and animals.
The master plan carefully balances new homes with long-term environmental protection, making sure natural systems are respected and preserved as the community grows.

During the later stages, key roads will need to be upgraded in line with MidCoast Council and Transport for NSW plans. Landcom will contribute funding to support these upgrades.