Lakelands Estate comprised approximately 85 hectares of land at the northern end of Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay. The estate had numerous physical constraints including minor flooding in its lower portions, the need to protect vegetated ridgelands in its upper portions, mine subsidence, and adjoining industrial development.
The land offered panoramic views of Lake Macquarie and following an extensive in-house market review, it was decided to provide an “up market” housing estate developed inwardly so as to minimise any impact of the constraints identified. DFP developed the concept for an innovative housing estate with a main loop road (access to allotments denied) providing access to four precincts for housing development. Many new innovations were negotiated with the Council including reduced road widths, use of waterway areas such as retention basins, smaller lot sizes with zero lot line development and utilisation of Council developer funds on-site for the creation of open space and community facilities.
Industry to the east and south was screened by the use of a comprehensive landscaped barrier along these boundaries. The estate entry was completely landscaped and low-lying flood liable areas were developed with a waterway retention basin system enhanced by public open space areas and a small neighbourhood shopping centre.
