When Amanda and her partner Kirk moved to the Highlands with their two young children in 2020, their search for a home was ongoing – until one day trip changed it all.
The textile designer from Sydney and her family were renting to “get a feel” for areas in the region, and ended up settling in Mittagong.
They knew they wanted to be “a little further out than Bowral”, without being too far away, and saw Ashbourne, when they were on a day trip to Kangaroo Valley.
She said the location had the best of both worlds – it had the country beauty of the Highlands and its greenery, without being too far from public transport and other facilities.
It was also not far from Wollongong and Sydney, she said.
“We won’t have to go far to find something new and amazing, there’s just always something to do here,” she said.
Wingecarribee Shire Council approved the subdivision certificate for the first stage of the housing development, which is led by Novm, in September.
“Stage one has been completed and contains 176 lots where buyers have settled and can now begin their home design and build process.
The council also granted development consent for stage two, which features 300 lots, and means subdivision works can begin for this stage.
Future releases will include land lots of up to 2000 square metres.
The couple purchased a 600 square metre lot in early 2023, and have been their home, which fulfills their aesthetic goal of Hamptons-meets-country chic.
The family celebrated the official opening of the development’s main entrance, known as Asbourne Boulevard, and the approvals, in Moss Vale on October 12.
More than 100 people in the community came together with Wingecarribee Shire Council’s councillor Sara Moylan.
The councillor led a ribbon-cutting alongside Novm CEO Adrian Liaw and Development Manager Angela Villate, to mark the official opening of the boulevard.
“Every region in NSW is grappling with the issue of housing, and we are delighted to be playing a role in ensuring this future Moss Vale community is of a high standard and designed to meet community needs,” Mr Liaw said.
Ms Villate said the celebration was the opportunity for buyers to connect and to envision their futures at Ashbourne.
Along with housing, the development will feature parks, playgrounds, walking and cycling tracks, and a planned village hub, which will include a planned childcare centre.
“My son plays rep soccer and he’s excited about being within walking distance of the soccer oval,” Amanda said.
“It’s more than just buying a house, it’s about becoming part of a community.”
*Kirk (left) and Amanda (far right) moved to the Highlands from Sydney with their two young children, and are planning a home in Moss Vale. Picture supplied
