Sekisui House Australia is sticking to a sustainable, long-term vision with a strong $4 billion investment in Queensland projects upon completion, despite uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 creating future planning challenges for both homeowners and developers.
Sekisui House Australia is the master developer behind four south-east Queensland projects, including the mixed-use Ripley Town Centre development and the Ecco Ripley residential community near Ipswich, as well as the mixed-use, heritage-listed West Village in Brisbane’s West End. When combined, these projects are set to deliver up to 5,000 dwellings and apartments between them.
In addition, the company’s planned mixed-use Yaroomba Beach project on the Sunshine Coast is expected to feature a further 740 dwellings and apartments, and a 220-room, five-star The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa that is forecast to inject $108 million per annum into the local economy and attract around 85,000 new visitors to the Sunshine Coast each year.
With the four developments due to be completed between 2022 and 2030, Sekisui House Australia is also providing significant employment opportunities for the region, with an anticipated 38,800 jobs expected to be created throughout construction and upon completion of all four projects.
Federal Member for Blair, Hon. Shayne Neumann MP said now is a critical time to be investing in Queensland as the state moves through economic challenges.
“We know businesses have been doing it tough during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted economies across Queensland, the country and the world,” Mr Neumann said.
“By employing local workers and supporting local businesses through construction, companies like Sekisui House Australia are helping to build resilience in these communities.”
Sekisui House Australia CEO & Managing Director, Hide Seguchi, said that while the global pandemic has presented its challenges, what communities need now is certainty around their future, which is something the homebuilder and developer is committed to providing.
“We adopt a sustainable, long-term view for every development — from construction to completion, we consider our projects as true investments in people, communities and regions, and that we are partners with our stakeholders at every step,” Mr Seguchi said.
“While some of our projects are at varying stages of completion, we’re committed for the long-term. West Village for example, is currently supporting more than 500 construction jobs across Queensland and will support more than 5,000 across the life of the project.
“Our Ripley Town Centre project alone will support 22,000 total jobs, both throughout construction and once complete, contributing to hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity each year.”
Sekisui House Australia’s investment in the growing Ripley Priority Development Area (PDA) equates to $2 billion with a projected output value of $6.24 billion across Ecco Ripley and Ripley Town Centre, but when combined with the Yaroomba and West Village projects, brings the company’s total investment to almost $4 billion across south-east Queensland upon project completion; and there are plans underway to expand even further.
“Our continued focus and perseverance across these major projects reinforces our confidence in Queensland and the state’s ability to bounce back post-COVID-19.”
Mr Seguchi said that while jobs growth was a direct impact, the company was also proud of the many other ways it contributes to communities.
“From building skills training campuses through our Construction Skills Queensland and TAFE partnerships, and upgrades to local infrastructure and amenity, to promoting health and wellbeing and establishing important arts and cultural programs, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we create,” Mr Seguchi said.
“It’s part of the Sekisui House Australia approach to creating homes and communities — they should improve with time and last for generations — and this is exactly what we’ve set out to achieve in Queensland.”
Sekisui House Australia is also renowned for its green credentials, with each Queensland project either targeting or achieving a 5 or 6 Star Green Star certification from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Award-winning parks and environmental zones is another hallmark of the master developer to support community cohesion, promote health and wellbeing and increase biodiversity. Across Ripley Town Centre Ecco Ripley and West Village, more than 500,000 trees, shrubs and ground coverings have been planted to date.
