“We are really close now. We have been developing for close to 18 months, but building 65 blocks at once has not been a simple process,” Mr Eishold said.
The Echuca-based developer, with strong family connections to the Kyabram community, expects the “floodgates’’ to open once the initial three stages of the project are in motion.
“We have approvals in place to build 70 more lots and are keen to build these in the next six-to-12 months,” he said.
“This is representing four stages with earthworks starting three weeks ago on stages four and five.”
Stages four and five will provide the important north-south link through the estate and establish additional access points for residents.
In total the 210-lot development has 11 stages, but has faced a series of stumbling blocks.
Among those lengthy delays caused by COVID-based challenges with statutory authorities, to a shortage of materials and difficulty in receiving timely responses for essential works on the site.
“We are at the point now where we are waiting for final compliance approval to come through,” Mr Eishold said.
“I’d like to think we will have our titles processed in two weeks — fingers crossed as we work with council.”
The Edge developer said everyone (purchasers in the estate) had been screaming at him to issue the titles, so they can start building.
“We’ve constructed 65 blocks on the site. Titles for the first stage of 22 lots will be issued in the coming weeks,” he said.
“Then the next two stages will happen and roll over in the weeks thereafter.”
Mr Eishold said he would have preferred to be at the point he is now 12 months ago, irrelevant of the COVID complications.
“I thought we may have been onto stage five or six by now, but problems with products, labour, contractors and statutory authorities have seen a natural slowdown,” he said.
Mr Eishold said, sadly, this had been out of his control and well beyond those of normal expectations in land development.
He said all developers had to complete/conclude these same processes and they do not just happen.
“Land development is a challenge and not for the faint hearted,” he said.
“There are a number of small hills to climb, but during the climb we certainly have had some steep sections where progress has been stalled.”
A $15 million commitment to the project will eventually see The Edge kick start what many people are calling Kyabram’s “big build’’.
The Edge estate will be followed by developments alongside Breen Ave, on Brose Rd, South Boundary Rd and Lake Rd.
Mr Eishold said he was excited about what the finished product of the Edge would provide to the town.
What excites him most is he has been able to play a key role in the growth of the town, which he said “punched well above its weight in several fields’’.
“I’ve watched the town grow for more than 30 years and I am happy to have invested in its growth,” he said.
He described Kyabram as an attractive town offering many new opportunities for growth.
Mr Eishold said the development of the next 40 blocks (two stages) at the northern end of the site would include the central parklands and dual-use kick-about space and retention basin.
“This will be a feature of the estate and highlight active living within an attractive and well-laid-out central parkland,” he said.
“Our past developments have seen residents from further afield travel to our play space to undertake and enjoy their daily physical activity.”
While frustrated at the speed of the project, Mr Eishold said he expected the finished product to be more than worth the wait.
The recent addition of street trees in the cooler autumn months have already made a green change to the estate with additional entry landscaping soon to occur once titles are established.
