COMMUNITY AND BELONGING IS EMBEDDED IN VILLAWOOD’S DNA

Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe stands by his commitment of not just creating spaces for homes, but creating liveable and connected communities.

“There’s increasing evidence in Australia and throughout the Western world of younger people either leaving inner city areas or at least expressing a desire to leave, in favour of the oft-maligned suburbs,” Mr Costelloe said.

“Despite being disparaged at times, most people in the Western world live in them and as social researcher Hugh Mackay says they’re ‘affordable, convenient and pleasant’.

“And so they should be; life in Australia’s suburbs should be, and can be, social, fulfilling and rewarding.

“In Villawood Properties’ many communities, we believe it is. In fact, we know it is.

“From the feedback we receive, from the research we undertake, from the efforts of others to emulate our modus operandi, we know lives are enriched by the Villawood community ethos.

“We see it in the grinning faces of children in our playgrounds and on our sports ovals, we hear it in the happy parental hubbub of our cafes, clubs.

“We feel it in the physical striving in our gyms, our tennis courts and pools, we smile at it in the like-minded groups in our resident centres.

“We know that humans are social creatures by their nature, and that they need to protect and nurture their families with a need for a sense of belonging.

“Villawood has been exhaustive in pursuing, and delivering, the elements to provide this: the parks and grounds and
trails; the cafes and retail outlets; the gyms and pools; the events and clubs.

“We’ve tackled the things people don’t see; river and creek systems, recycling of earth materials, flora and fauna protections, native bird shelters and more.”

Villawood’s work to ensure new suburbs offer opportunity for a healthy, fulfilling life has become the Australian residential development gold standard.

This is underscored by numerous national and state industry awards, and by a business performance that is the envy of competitors.

Where Villawood is really different, however, where residents and buyers see it standing apart from competitors, is its long-term focus.

Villawood is in for the long haul; it is eyeing its legacy even before a sod is turned in its communities.

“We are intrinsically about creating communities that will continue to be strong, socially, economically and environmentally, long after the development is finished,” Mr Costelloe explained.

“This means a whole range of extras that other developers just don’t do, and which many may never do.

“For instance, Villawood does not market to investors; it wants families, individuals, who will help build the community and its social capital, it wants people proud and protective of their community.

“Villawood changed its contract nomination clauses for this express purpose; to keep away profiteering speculators.”

Villawood is also an industry leader in calling for responsible land pricing, this is not always popular with competitors, but
it is aimed at keeping the market stable and housing affordable. Price constraint is essential for the broader economy as much as our business interests.

Everything is about belonging, about community, it’s the Villawood DNA.