Sydney, Australia: Leading Australian property developer Third.i Group (‘Third.i’) has announced plans for a $1.6 Billion master-planned housing community at Charmhaven on the NSW Central Coast – delivering up to 2,000 single-dwelling homes,120 ha of protected environmental green space, a new school and business park.
Contingent on planning approvals, the first new homes could be delivered in 36 months, helping meet the growingdemands for housing on the Central Coast, which is forecast to grow to more than 404,250 people by 2041.[1]
Strategically located between the Pacific Highway and Arizona Road, the Charmhaven neighbourhood will be a catalyst site for the Central Coast growth region, providing a range of affordable and sustainable housing options, connecting residents to existing centres, employment, transport networks, infrastructure, and amenities.
Around 60% of the site (120 ha) will be preserved in perpetuity as conservation land, including a wildlife corridor connecting nearby Lake Munmorah to the Watagan Mountains.
The Charmhaven Project is currently the biggest housing development planned for the Central Coast, and has the potential to meet almost a quarter of the NSW Government’s target of 9,400 new homes to be completed in the Region by 2029.[2]
Third.i’s partnership with one of Australia’s largest community housing providers, Evolve Housing, will ensure that 10% of the development (200 homes) is dedicated as ‘affordable housing’ with local essential workers, including nurses, teachers, and allied care staff, given the opportunity to rent a new home at below-market rates.
“Third.i and our partners are delighted to be delivering this new master-planned community, helping address the chronic shortage of affordable new homes on the Central Coast,” said Florian Caillon, Third.i Head of Acquisitions.
“If approved, the rezoning will allow us to provide critical, enabling infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity, which will benefit the wider region – all at no cost to the NSW Government. We’re excited that we’ll be transforming what’s become a run-down, illegal waste dump, into 120 ha of green open space for the public. This will include new sporting fields, walking trails and cycleways – which we will be funding in perpetuity for future generations.
“We will be working with the Region’s best builders and offering residents a variety of single-dwelling housing options, and we’re proud that 10% of the development has been committed to affordable housing, allowing eligible low to medium income workers in the area to rent a home at below market rents.”
If approved, the school, St Philip’s Christian College, will be a low-fee independent Christian school designed to serve up to 1,500 students from Early Learning through to Tertiary teacher training. The K–12 College will offer strong academic and extracurricular opportunities within a faith-based environment, enriching the lives of students and families in the local community.
In addition, it will provide tailored education pathways through the Dynamic Learning College, supporting students with diverse learning needs. The new business park in Charmhaven will create over 600 new operational jobs.
CEO of St Philip’s Christian Education, Mr Graeme Irwin AM, believes the proposed development will have a long-term positive impact on the surrounding community.
‘We’re excited to bring St Philip’s Christian College to Charmhaven, offering families greater choice and creating an educational precinct that caters to a diverse range of learners. Our goal is to build strong local industry partnerships and equip students with the knowledge, skills, values, and connections they need to make a lasting, positive impact in their community.”
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said having secure housing close to the hospital was crucial for nurses and midwives who often worked unsocialable hours.
"Accessible and affordable housing for nurses and midwives on the Central Coast is greatly needed, as it is across the state. Projects such as this, that target essential workers, help ensure our healthcare services can meet community needs. We welcome this approach to development as it helps to address the significant issue of ongoing access to well-staffed essential services for our communities,” she said.
Health Services Union (HSU) NSW/ACT/QLD Assistant Secretary, Lauren Hutchens, added: "Our members keep our hospitals running day and night, but they are being pushed further and further away from their workplaces by skyrocketing housing costs on the Central Coast.
“From the admin teams managing patient records to the cleaners ensuring infection control, these essential workers simply can't afford to live near their workplaces anymore.
"That's why we're encouraged by developments that make affordable housing a priority. Having a significant number of homes reserved for essential workers means our members can live close to work, spend less time commuting, and more time with their families. It's these kinds of practical solutions that make a real difference in addressing the housing crisis facing our health workforce."
Mr Caillon, said that, contingent on planning approvals, the first homes in Charmhaven could be delivered in 36 months.
“Third.i is working closely with the Central Coast Council, NSW Government Agencies, Evolve Housing, key unions, stakeholders and the local community, to shape this Proposal. We are committed to creating a new, multi-faceted community which will provide a pipeline of affordable and sustainable housing, infrastructure and green open spaces for the fast-growing Central Coast,” he said.
[1] Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, October 2022, NSW Government.
[2] Central Coast Council’s housing snapshot, 2024, NSW Government.
About us:
About Third.i
Third.i is one of Australia’s leading property development and investment firms with an enviable track record in successfully delivering large-scale residential projects in Sydney and Newcastle. With a current development pipeline exceeding $4 billion, Third.i’s experience and drive to deliver architecturally inspired spaces are key reasons for their ongoing success.
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