Where City Meets Country

The Age

Saturday November 11, 2006

Katherine Townsend

A new estate will merge nature with modern style. By Katherine Townsend.

PROPERTY REVIEW: FERNTREE GULLY, Peregrine Heights Butlers Road $192,000-plus Private sale through Oliver Hume Real Estate, 9684 8102

Melway 74 C4

PEREGRINE Heights is where suburbia meets the bush, with wonderful views to match. The new estate has Dandenong Ranges National Park behind it, the Ferntree Gully railway station a short walk below and sweeping views towards Glen Waverley beyond.

The 7.5-hectare estate is on the site of the old Ferntree Gully quarry and is being developed by sugar and building projects giant, CSR. It has 75 blocks, ranging from 500 square metres to 1000 square metres and with prices from $196,000 to $220,000.

The lowest-lying blocks are near the railway line and then rise towards the national park in a terraced effect.

Many of the higher blocks have been sold but there are still about 50 to choose from. The estate will be developed in four stages.

The main remnants of the former quarry site are a large stone cliff face and pond that will be a significant feature on the south-eastern end of the estate. Adjoining Crown land, it has a large area of open space.

The national park and Peregrine Heights are separated by a stretch of green and a walking path known as Lady's Walk that also leads to walking paths in the national park.

The development was originally planned as 120 lots but concerns over its compatibility with the Dandenong Ranges National Park and block sizes in the surrounding area saw the number of lots reduced to 75.

Strict controls have been placed on the development and all residents will be required to plant between five and eight indigenous canopy trees, depending on their block's size. Eighty per cent of vegetation planted must be indigenous. Development in the environmentally sensitive area has also meant native animals have had to be rehoused under the supervision of experts.

Road construction has been completed and a display office has opened on site. The estate is being marketed as the best of both worlds - well serviced by local amenities such as the Knox Shopping Centre and rail transport, as well as all the craft shops and Devonshire teas you could need just a short drive up in the hills.