Three of the best projects for open space: The Hugh, Fairwater, and Harvest at Chisholm

House-and-land packages for less than $500,000 and apartments that offer immediate access to sports fields, parklands and the bush. It’s easy to see the appeal for buyers looking in the outer suburbs of Sydney and further afield to areas such as the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Hunter Valley.

In Sydney’s north-west, at Kellyville, The Hugh is offering a chance to blend open spaces with the convenience of apartment living. The development will feature a good range of larger apartments, appealing to downsizers and young families, and will have a big garden at its centre.

“We’ve got a whole lot of two and three-bedroom apartments that are much bigger than required,” says Angus Henson, a member of the design team from Zhinar Architects.

In Blacktown, the Fairwater development was officially launched last month by Minister for Planning Rob Stokes. Western Sydney’s newest masterplanned community will feature 800 homes on its 38.5 hectares. 

A key selling point of Fairwater, which is being developed on the former Ashlar Golf Club site at Blacktown, will be its outdoor areas. They will include landscaped parks and gardens, lakes, ponds, water features, a learn-to-ride bike track, play areas for families and a series of pramways and walkways.

Those looking for a complete change will find the Hunter Valley has a good choice of new developments. Near Maitland, the Harvest development is attracting locals and people keen on commuting to Newcastle for work or study.

“Because we’re between Maitland and Newcastle, it’s very convenient,” says Nathan Huon, the NSW project director for Investa Land, which is developing the site.

The lure of rural living is also appealing. “It’s very nice land; it’s got a nice outlook and a nice elevation,” Huon says.

1. The Hugh 

68 Hezlett Road, Kellyville
One-beds 56-75 square metres, $500,000+
Two-beds 73-118 square metres, $585,000+
Three-beds 98-112 square metres, $760,000+
Strata levies from $600 a quarter
Due for completion 2017
Kanebridge Property, 1300 526 327, the-hugh.com.au

Bio-retention pits that capture rainwater from the roof and allow it to soak into the soil are just one of the eco features at The Hugh, a development of 188 apartments being launched this weekend.

The mix of one, two and three-bedroom units by Kanebridge Property will be built over four buildings and will feature a central landscaped area with barbecue facilities and a play zone. The bio-retention zones will form part of the landscaping.

Angus Henson, of Zhinar Architects, part of the team who designed The Hugh, says the development will also have good cross-ventilation and solar access, which will reduce reliance on airconditioning, artificial lighting and heating.

2. Harvest at Chisholm

327 Raymond Terrace Road, Chisholm
Land 502-1158 square metres, $209,900+
House-and-land packages are priced from $435,900 for a four-bedroom home by Hudson Homes.
Agent Investa Land, 0429 890 746, www.harvest-chisholm.com.au

First-home buyers might be thin on the ground in some areas but at Harvest in Chisholm, they are dominating registrations of interest for the development’s second land release, known as Vintage Hill.

The 400-lot development is near Maitland in the lower Hunter Valley. Blocks range from 502 square metres to 1158 square metres. The elevated blocks offer views across Four Mile Creek and towards the Watagan Mountains.

At the heart of the development is a proposed 2.2-hectare neighbourhood park.

Harvest is about 10 kilometres from Maitland and 28 kilometres from Newcastle.

3. Fairwater

Richmond Road, Blacktown
Terraces,  159-247 square metres, $814,000+
Townhomes, 123-180 square metres, $601,000+
Free-standing homes, 184-233 square metres,  $821,000+
Strata levies apply for some homes, from $250 a quarter 
Due for completion 2020
Agent Australand, 13 38 38; fairwaterliving.com.au 

Affordability and sustainability are two key themes of Fairwater in Blacktown.

The masterplanned community’s green credentials include all new home sites being equipped with geothermal heating and cooling systems designed to halve airconditioning and energy costs. There will also be rainwater tanks plumbed to the laundries and toilets, fans to all bedrooms and living areas, and LED lighting throughout the properties. 

“Fairwater is one of the first urban infill projects to register for a Green Star Communities rating in Western Sydney,” says Australand’s NSW residential division general manager, Nigel Edgar. The development has proved popular. More than 7000 people registered for the first three releases of Fairwater in Blacktown, which sold out in minutes. The latest release was last month and more releases are planned this year.