Mirvac has officially commenced construction on its new Highforest community in Sydney, marking the start of the $830 million project that will deliver 414 much-needed new homes and apartments to NSW, in a unique urban environment.

Mirvac’s CEO Development, Stuart Penklis was joined by NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon. Paul Scully to turn the first sod, celebrating a major milestone for the project.

Located on the edge of the Cumberland State Forest in the northwest Sydney suburb of West Pennant Hills, Highforest offers residents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live alongside Australia’s only metropolitan state forest.

Mirvac will deliver 165 detached and attached houses and 249 apartments, along with publicly accessible open spaces and a range of community facilities.

Penklis says Highforest has been many years in the making and will be a true legacy project for Mirvac.

“Proximity to the forest has shaped the masterplanning and architecture of Highforest, and our aim was to create a community that balances its unique location with the urgent need for housing in areas that are well-served by public transport, including the new Sydney CBD Metro,” he says.

“Mirvac was a pioneer in sustainable development more than two decades ago and we have drawn on that experience to create a place unlike any other in Sydney. It is fantastic to see Highforest coming to life, and we have worked with the community and local stakeholders to ensure that we are delivering something very special. We are committed to leaving this place better than when we found it.

“We are dedicating 10 hectares of endangered remnant forest to the public, replanting 1.5 trees for every tree removed – which equates to around 4,600 trees on site – and regenerating close to 10,000 square metres of forest. We have also ensured the safe relocation of important endangered species, including the dural land snail, and are closely monitoring the powerful owl.”

Highforest will also include public spaces for the wider community to enjoy, including a cultural classroom with a yarning circle, walking trails connecting to the forest, playground, children’s bike track and shaded barbeque and seating areas.

“Importantly, the built form of Highforest will be confined to the footprint of the existing office buildings and carpark which was formerly the IBM commercial offices, which will be transformed into a wonderful place for over 1,000 people to call home over the next four years,” says Penklis.

The project is just a 25-minute drive to Sydney’s CBD and 800 metres from the new Cherrybrook Metro station, which connects to the city in 30 minutes.

The project team worked with the existing environment and landscape to create a new community that captures the natural character of the Cumberland State Forest, minimising environmental impact and encouraging community and social interaction:

Mirvac is targeting a 6 Star Green Star Communities v1.1 rating in recognition of the Group’s efforts to go beyond the building and address other issues, such as public realm and amenity, sustainable transport and walkability, integrated water management, and place and community development.

A Discovery Centre aims to educate the community and customers on the significance of the site – the endangered remnant forest and its flora and fauna and the original custodians of the land, the Dharug people.

All homes will be all-electric, 7-star NatHERs (7-star average for apartments), and all houses and apartments will be fitted with solar rooftop panels and provisioned for electric vehicle charging, as well as rainwater harvesting and tanks. The apartment solar system will service common areas.

A green connection through the estate will provide a habitat corridor for native fauna, as well as public access to the forest. Over 40 nest boxes for possums and birds have been installed.

The Discovery Centre, which acts as the Highforest sales suits, is open to the public and taking appointments daily from 11.00am to 4.00pm – 55 Coonara Avenue, West Pennant Hills, NSW, 2125.

Clémence Carayol

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