AVJennings Queensland executive general manager Graham Marshall is again at the helm of one of Noosa’s largest property developments – and looking to exceed his previous success.
As operations manager with QM Properties from 1997 to 2004, Mr Marshall was part of the team that delivered Noosa Waters, one of Noosa’s most sought-after prestige waterfront communities.
Now with AVJennings, Mr Marshall is planning to raise the bar with the company’s new venture in the iconic Queensland beach town, Elysium Noosa.
AVJennings has already begun rolling-out a $1 million refurbishment of the 27 hectare site, which it acquired last month (November 2010), and is in the process of finalising its plans for the new community, with the aim of releasing its first land and homes for sale by mid-2011.
Situated on a prime parcel adjacent to Noosa Springs Resort and Golf Course, the site features a precinct of 30 luxury homes, along with 158 land lots.
AVJennings is already active in the Sunshine Coast market, where it is also developing the $336 million Creekwood Caloundra community.
Mr Marshall said the enormous market acceptance that had been achieved at Noosa Waters had laid a strong foundation for the success of Elysium Noosa.
“The team at QM Properties built real value by listening to the needs of customers,” he said.
“We overcame initial perceptions that Noosa Waters wasn’t part of Noosa Heads, that it was Noosaville and no-one would want to live there.
“We took landscaping to a whole new level out of respect for what our customers wanted, creating a lush waterfront community that became one of the most successful developed in the region to date.
“The lessons learned at Noosa Waters will be invaluable in driving Elysium Noosa forward.
“Although, they are two completely different communities with their own identities, we will be employing a similar strategy of listening to what our consumers want, helping them to achieve it and providing a community built on the relaxed subtropical style that is the soul of Noosa living.”
Mr Marshall said, while plans were still being finalised, the creation of landscaped open spaces and facilities would be a major component of the overall vision for Elysium Noosa, creating a community not just a new property development.
“We don’t just want to deliver beautiful luxury homes, we want the overall community at Elysium Noosa to be the perfect setting and we have the foundations for achieving that with a body corporate system already in place,” he said.
“Creating attractive streetscapes and open spaces will be a key to the success of Elysium Noosa.
“Those who live a rich life in Noosa most often are focused on a healthy lifestyle, with the area’s fantastic climate and landscape making it an ideal location to do so.
“Giving people full opportunity to live that lifestyle is vital in delivering a community that people will want to call home.
“We are in the process of finalising our plans for the community centre, which will create a central space for people to relax and unwind or meet their neighbours, and will be completing the walking trails that are already mostly developed throughout the site.”
Mr Marshall, who has a long association with environmentally sensitive development and is a Trustee of the Queensland Trust for Nature, said the natural surrounds would also be a focus of Elysium Noosa.
Along with Noosa Waters, at QM Properties Mr Marshall oversaw the $120 million Pacific Harbour development at Bribie Island, which became an example of environmental waterfront development, with the artificial bird roost for threatened migratory wader birds winning a number of prestigious environmental awards.
“The natural environment of Noosa creates the perfect backdrop for the type of community we want to create at Elysium Noosa, so complementing the environment will be a top priority,” said Mr Marshall.
“This is one of the last sizeable residential parcels left in the heart of Noosa and an opportunity like this only comes along once in a lifetime.
“We will be delivering AVJennings’ trademark quality, design and reliability to ensure we do it justice.”