January Newsletter

MULLUM CREEK RESIDENTS NEWS UPDATE

Construction Update
Construction of Stage 1 recommenced on Monday, 11 January, following Bayport’s return from their Christmas break. The footpath and driveway specification was finalised just before Christmas, and its construction was among the first items tackled in the New Year. The natural topography of the site has led to many challenges in installing driveways in locations as per purchasers’ wishes. It has been a big effort to ensure all purchasers can get the driveway they have requested, and so far we have been successful in working closely with Council to be able to install these driveways in their preferred position. (Note that personalising driveway locations is an additional service not commonly available to purchasers of residential lots.) In addition, whilst the end result of a ‘snaking’ footpath in such hilly terrain will look fantastic, ensuring all grades and cross-falls comply with council’s standards has also proven to be a very challenging task.

Footpath and driveway construction is being completed in conjunction with the continuation of road construction; asphalting is due to be installed in early February. Once this is complete electrical and communication reticulation will follow, and is due to start Monday, 15 February.

The final item for construction is the wetland, which is due to commence on Thursday, 4 February. With the proposed wetland drainage outfall being located in such an environmentally and culturally sensitive area (the wetland is located next to one of the last known billabongs in the Mullum Mullum Creek area), there have been some delays in finalising and gaining approval for the outfall design. This has been a very challenging item to work through and has led to a delay in beginning wetland construction. Again, due to the strong environmental focus of the Mullum Creek development, it is imperative that the correct alignment of the drainage outfall is selected so that both residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the amenity provided by this ecosystem for decades to come.

Once completed, the wetland construction will mark the end of the Stage 1 construction process; currently this date is expected to be Friday, 25 March 2016. Whilst we understand and acknowledge the frustration in continuing delays, we are certain that by addressing these construction issues with the amount of time and energy they demand will lead to a development that will deliver an exceptionally high standard of amenity and service for residents for years into the future.

Following the practical completion of construction works, a number of approvals need to be obtained. As these must be provided by external authorities we can only make ‘best estimates’ of the time that will take. The following timetable is based on previous experience, but does not come with a guarantee.
25 March 2016 Practical completion of construction

15 April 2016 Statement of Compliance (from Council)

29 April 2016 – 27 May 2016 Title Registration
*2 – 6 weeks depending on Title Registration Office

13 May 2016 – 10 June 2016 Settlements – In accordance with Contract of Sale
*2 weeks from notification of Title of Registration
Kind Regards,
Richard Stokes
Verve Projects – Project Manager

DRC News
The DRC reopened 18th January, and has been pleased to accept many design submissions since then. We are now at the half way mark, with 28 of the 56 the lots having chosen a designer or nominated one through the Incentive scheme. With this in mind, there are some items we think it would be beneficial for all purchasers to address:

As a result of our meeting with Council late last year, we have amalgamated the Step 2 and Landscape checklists. So please ensure that your Step 2 submission addresses the most recent version of the document.
If you have selected or are planning to select a designer that is not endorsed by Mullum Creek, please ensure that he/she reads and understand the Mullum Creek Design Guidelines before commencing design work. We regularly need to send back applications for design approval with requests, for information as listed on our review checklists, or, for address of Guideline Requirements that have not yet been satisfied. This is time consuming and expensive for the DRC, and it slows up your design process.
If you or your designer has any queries regarding documentation necessary for an approval submission, please feel free to clarify these with the DRC.

New Website
Design of the new Mullum Creek website is currently underway, with plans to reveal in the coming months. The website will no longer keep a separate Data Room, but will function as a central and publicly accessible hub for all things Mullum Creek.

Based on your feedback, we have arranged the website into three key areas that will allow users to effectively navigate each page and locate key information.

A new dimension to the website will be the integration of social media. As the Mullum Creek development progresses, Mullum Creek will facilitate community discourse through the use of social media channels such as Facebook and LinkedIn, in the hope that they will be used as a community noticeboard for events and discussions.

Images courtesy of Zen Architects (Left) and Ben Callery (Right)

Stage 2 Site Access Day – 25th February

As a result of the popularity of the Stage 1 site access day, we will be holding a site access day for the Stage 2 development. We will also hold a second site access day for Stage 1 early in March, to be confirmed in February’s newsletter.

Stage 2 of the Mullum Creek estate will be open for access on Thursday, 25th February from 3:00 – 7:00pm. Representatives from the Mathews family and Design Review Committee (DRC) will there to supervise your visit and to answer any questions that you may have about your home site and the Mullum Creek design process.

If you would like to attend, please email us at mullumcreek@haarchitecture.com.au with your name, mobile phone number and your estimated time of arrival. Please note that the Stage 2 site entrance gate is located on Old Warrandyte Road. If it rains prior to the visit, the site may be muddy so bring appropriate footwear.

If you are involved with a lot in Stage 2 and have not had any contact with the DRC to date, we strongly encourage you to visit the site on this day so that you can discuss your future home vision with the Mullum Creek Team.

If you have any issues on the day please call 0409 011 335.

Community & Events
Summer Sounds @ Plaza Park
Date: 13th & 27th February 2016 (all day)
Location: MC Square Civic Plaza, 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, VIC, 3108
For details: click here

Stage 2 Site Access Day
Date: 25th February 2016, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: 122 Old Warrandyte Road, Donvale, VIC, 3111

Sustainable Living Festival
Date: 6th – 28th February 2016
Location: Across Melbourne
For details: click here
Warm regards,
Mullum Creek Team

There are places you remember. Mullum Creek is a place you’ll never forget.

0477 006 925
info@mullumcreek.com.au
www.mullumcreek.com.au