By Jessica Howard

 

As the development of the new Underbank accelerates, Kataland’s Allan Carlsson says he is passionate about preserving the history of the area.

Underbank has long been remembered as the successful stud farm that was once home to the champion racehorse Phar Lap.

Former stables, fences and trees are still part of the site’s rich history and, according to Development Manager Allan Carlsson, will be respectfully incorporated into the community’s masterplan.

Mr Carlsson said one of the old stable complexes, believed to be more than 80-years-old, could one day be restored and used as a public facility for farmers markets and art shows.

An old river-red-gum tree, which stands tall and overlooks the old and battered stud farm, will be trimmed back and preserved.

“I’ve been told that the tree is about 200 years old, so we will need an arborist to comein and tell us how to safely preserve it,” Mr Carlsson said.

“This is an historic tree and is a very important part of the area”.

Mr Carlsson said Kataland, the company behind the Underbank development, plan to support the growth of Bacchus Marsh by accommodating a population of around 4,000 people with 1,500 blocks.

“The masterplan for Underbank is much more than just a collection of new homes.

This will be a complete community where public spaces and amenities have been created within a village setting to enrich the lives of everyone who will live here,” he said.

“The masterplan includes a full size AFL oval, netball courts, walking trails and public spaces. You don’t have to live here to benefit from this project”.

Kataland Director Jason Yeap said the development would break away from traditional master-planned communities as a result of planning and design that “celebrated and respected the landscape”.

“Most master-planned communities look the same – they’re flat and featureless.

When I first saw the Underbank site, I was struck by the rich landscape. There’s a natural bowl formation with a valley floor surrounded by hills, established trees, native shrubs and landscaped waterways.

“With Underbank, it was integral to preserve the sites existing natural assets, and instead of cutting into the land, we created new home designs that work with the slopping land, not against it. We are excited to bring a new era of master planned communities which respects the land and supports growth for current and future generations”.

Construction on the Underbank sites has already commenced, and stage one has been released, with land starting at $129,000 for a 420sqm block.

As the development of the new Underbank accelerates, Kataland’s Allan Carlsson says he is passionate about preserving the history of the area.

Underbank has long been remembered as the successful stud farm that was once home to the champion racehorse Phar Lap.

Former stables, fences and trees are still part of the site’s rich history and, according to Development Manager Allan Carlsson, will be respectfully incorporated into the community’s masterplan.

Mr Carlsson said one of the old stable complexes, believed to be more than 80-years-old, could one day be restored and used as a public facility for farmers markets and art shows.

An old river-red-gum tree, which stands tall and overlooks the old and battered stud farm, will be trimmed back and preserved.

“I’ve been told that the tree is about 200 years old, so we will need an arborist to comein and tell us how to safely preserve it,” Mr Carlsson said.

“This is an historic tree and is a very important part of the area”.

Mr Carlsson said Kataland, the company behind the Underbank development, plan to support the growth of Bacchus Marsh by accommodating a population of around 4,000 people with 1,500 blocks.

“The masterplan for Underbank is much more than just a collection of new homes.

This will be a complete community where public spaces and amenities have been created within a village setting to enrich the lives of everyone who will live here,” he said.

“The masterplan includes a full size AFL oval, netball courts, walking trails and public spaces. You don’t have to live here to benefit from this project”.

Kataland Director Jason Yeap said the development would break away from traditional master-planned communities as a result of planning and design that “celebrated and respected the landscape”.

“Most master-planned communities look the same – they’re flat and featureless.

When I first saw the Underbank site, I was struck by the rich landscape. There’s a natural bowl formation with a valley floor surrounded by hills, established trees, native shrubs and landscaped waterways.

“With Underbank, it was integral to preserve the sites existing natural assets, and instead of cutting into the land, we created new home designs that work with the slopping land, not against it. We are excited to bring a new era of master planned communities which respects the land and supports growth for current and future generations”.

Construction on the Underbank sites has already commenced, and stage one has been released, with land starting at $129,000 for a 420sqm block.