Yallarah is officially under construction following an official sod-turning event at the site on Wednesday, June 12.
Staff from Wel.Co, the developers behind the project, travelled from Melbourne and Brisbane for the event, which was also attended by Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos, Winslow Constructors staff, other associated businesses and members of the community.
Yallarah is part of the Echuca West Precinct Structure Plan, and will deliver more than 2000 homes to the region over 10 years.
The event began with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Bigambul man Damien Saunders.
“We do smoking ceremonies for a cleansing, but also for a new beginning,” he said.
“And this is a new beginning here.”
Wel.Co founder and managing director Andrew Welsh addressed the crowd, speaking about the future of Yallarah and its impact on the area.
“This sod-turning event marks a significant step forward in locking in supply of residential housing for the greater Echuca region,” he said.
“Creating communities is the fabric of what we do here at Wel.Co.
“I know today we’re here to turn the sod with our machines ... but when we go into new communities, it’s not just about today.
“It’s about the years in advance and how we invest in those communities.
“We want people moving into this community, feeling part of this community, but also contributing to the greater community.”
The land’s former owner, Peter McSwain, said it was exciting to see excavators and shovels at the site, particularly as it was a long time coming.
The McSwain family have been in Echuca since the 1870s, contributing to the Red Cross, school councils, sporting clubs and the wider community in their 150 years.
“It has been quite the journey,” he said.
“It’s very important ... for me, for my family and for Echuca.
“I was actually quite emotional, because of my family’s history in Echuca.”
In 2014, Mr McSwain started the process of rezoning the land from farm to residential land.
Ten years later, he is happy to see construction begin. Mr McSwain credits the team at Wel.Co for getting to this stage.
“If Wel.Co didn’t come on board, we’d still be in the process,” he said.
“It’s an enormous job to get through all the red tape and the bureaucracy.
“Better late than never, as they say.”
Echuca Moama Coffee Roasters coffee cart was on hand to keep guests caffeinated, while Vivid and Echuca United Football and Netball Club ran the barbecue, serving up bacon and egg rolls.
The sod turning marks the official start of the construction phase of the project, which will begin with bulk earthworks. Winslow Constructors was awarded the civil contract for Yallarah and will be conducting the works.