Sloane Street development preferred contractor selected

Northern Grampians Shire Council has selected a preferred developer for a residential development project on Sloane Street, between Ararat Road and Cahill Road, in Stawell.

It was decided during the ordinary council meeting yesterday that council engages PassivePlace as the preferred developer of the Sloane Street development and proceeds to enter into negotiations.

The eight-hectare site was rezoned in 2013 to a Residential 1 Zone and has the potential to allow the development of anywhere between 60-110 dwellings.

The development will accommodate the changing needs of the township due to an increase in activity and trend data which shows a lack of available accommodation within Stawell.

Expressions of interest were submitted to council last year and after careful consideration of the applicants through a rigorous selection framework, council will enter into negotiations with PassivePlace Developments.

Among other things, council sought a developer to provide a diverse housing mix to meet the backlog of demand, create a physical environment which is regarded as a model for residential development throughout regional Victoria, and extend council’s passive recreational areas and facilities.

Fitzroy-based building company PassivePlace build intelligently designed residences to significantly reduce carbon emissions and provide a comfortable living environment year-round.

Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, said he is looking forward to the project getting underway to relieve some of the pressure on the town’s rental market.

“This project will not only provide much-needed housing stock in Stawell but will also provide a blueprint for the future of residential housing in Victoria,” he said.

“Stawell has very low residential tenancy vacancy rates and a projected increase in residents with the development of Nectar Farms and the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, so it’s great to have this housing project moving forward positively.”

“PassivePlace’s innovative style and clever design will lead a new direction for residential buildings in regional and rural areas and we are excited to begin the conversation on exactly what that new direction is going to look like.”

Council will establish a connection with PassivePlace in the coming weeks to discuss the project and contractual particulars.