Forest Reach, formally brought to market by Stockland, has changed stewardship to AVID Property Group, signalling fresh momentum for the project. Photo: AVID.
A major West Dapto development has been relaunched after a change of hands prompted by an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ruling.
Forest Reach — a 101-hectare masterplanned community in Huntley set to shape the region for decades — will now be delivered by AVID Property Group.
Originally launched by residential development giant Stockland in April 2024, the project’s sale was a condition of Stockland’s $1.3 billion acquisition of a Lendlease housing estate.
The ACCC approved the deal on the condition that Stockland divest part of its portfolio, citing that owning both Forest Reach and Lendlease’s nearby Calderwood Valley project could reduce competition in the already concentrated Illawarra market.
“This could have resulted in increased prices, delayed supply, or reduced quality of housing lots in the Illawarra region, to the detriment of prospective homeowners,” ACCC commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
As West Dapto prepares to accommodate more than 55,000 new residents in 20,000 new homes over the next 50 years, the Forest Reach transition signals fresh momentum for a project poised to meet soaring local housing demand.
“Coastal regions across NSW, in particular the Illawarra, are experiencing strong buyer demand and we are energised by this opportunity to enter a new market in a region with such robust potential,” AVID CEO Cameron Holt says.
“Forest Reach gives us a unique opportunity to expand our portfolio and create another great place for Australian families to live and thrive.”
Forest Reach is described as a comprehensive community plan set to deliver about 530 residential land blocks, alongside 108 townhomes and a proposed 236-home land lease community.
“This project will play a significant role in bringing much-needed housing supply and lifestyle choice to the area,” Mr Holt said.
AVID project director NSW Danny Boubli said beyond housing, Forest Reach would aim to deliver liveability with well-thought-out green spaces, connectivity and community infrastructure.
This would include two local parks and 4.74 ha of riparian corridors — an expanse equivalent to nearly nine international football fields — and more than 22 km of shared walking and cycling paths.
“Forest Reach offers homebuyers the perfect balance of regional, peaceful living and a modern, connected lifestyle,” he said.
“Time and time again, we are seeing homebuyers see the value in regional living, where they can feel connected to nature while still having access to vital community infrastructure and transport.”
AVID has opened an on-site sales and information centre at Forest Reach, with new land now available for purchase.
