McGoverns target 50 homes a year in $100M land lease debut
Just months after opening the sales office for their first land lease venture in Gympie on Queensland’s Greater Sunshine Coast, Will and Bernie McGovern are accelerating delivery plans.
Bulk earthworks have been taking place on the 7.3ha Horizon Living site since late last year, and construction work on the first of the new homes is about to begin. Mayor Glen Hartwig turned the first sod in a ceremony on 17 February.
The first two stages of the $100 million development have sold and the next stage has been launched. Homes in the third stage are priced from $649,000 to $789,000.
The first residents are expected to move into their new homes by November 2026 and Horizon then plans to be building at the rate of 50 new homes a year.
Sunshine Coast-based Carruthers Contractors has been appointed civil contractor, while the homes will be constructed by Ausmar Homes. Two-level homes will be released later in the year.
“A huge amount of planning has gone into getting the community masterplan and houses just right,” McGovern Developments Managing Director Bernie McGovern said.
“We considered how best the homes should be positioned, the location of the clubhouse, even to how the driveways are graded and how we can tie in walking trails through the resort.”
The McGoverns paid $1.87 million for the vacant 7.3ha site in 2021, before gaining approval from Gympie Regional Council in 2023 for a 158-home community.
Purchasers have a choice of seven home designs, tailored to suit different lifestyles and the shape and size of the lot. There are three facades to choose from, each available in three colour palettes.
A focus of the complex is a $10 million two-level clubhouse where facilities will include a lounge, bar, heated swimming pool and spa, pickleball court, library, lawn bowls, golf simulator, cinema and billiards.
Will and Bernie McGovern’s father Bernard built the 4ha Riverside caravan and camping resort in Diddillibah on the Sunshine Coast, which Ingenia Communities Group paid $23.25 million to buy in November 2018.
