Development poised to aid thriving semi-rural community's childcare shortage woes

The rapidly expanding master-planned housing development Bingara Gorge, 80 kilometres south-west of the CBD, has seen 1600 homes built, with 200 more imminent. The greater Wilton area, nestled in Wollondilly Shire, is expected to house 40,000 residents by 2040, with several other developments nearby.

It boasts semi-rural living spanning 450 hectares in the Macarthur Region, home to natural beauty and contemporary homes.

“The interest has been pretty good – so far, we have had over 70 inquiries,” said Jai Sethi, associate director at Ray White Western Sydney. 

“Operators will buy to run the business, or developers will buy and lease”.

Buyers should expect to pay around $1200 to $1300 per square metre for the site, Sethi said.

With an increasing population and limited local childcare options, high demand persists. Families are on a waiting list at the nearest centre, Bingara Gorge Community Preschool, which reportedly charges between $140 and $150 a day, according to the property’s information memorandum.

“Childcare demand in Bingara Gorge, Wilton, is rising due to the community’s growth and influx of young families,” it reads. “Consequently, we anticipate that the facility at 1 Butler Drive could command similar or slightly higher fees.

“Whether managing the business directly, or securing a reputable tenant, the project provides potential for a highly-profitable venture, or long-term investment with steady cash flow.”

The single-level childcare facility, on a corner block with high business exposure across three street frontages, has places for 102 children and 20 staff. The council has approved the development.

If leased to an established operator, agents suggest the property could earn a net annual rental income between $489,600 and $510,000 plus GST, or $4800 to $5000 per placement.

The Bingara Gorge childcare facility’s age ratio will include 32 places for zero-to-two-year-olds, 30 spots for two-to-three-year-olds, and 40 offerings for three-to-five-year-olds. 

The land, nearly 3000 square metres, does not require a basement for parking, with 26 approved on-grade car parks, a significant cost-saving factor. 

Sethi added that single-storey childcare developments without basements were popular right now, which cuts out the “huge costs” of building underground car parks.

“People are sort of running away from a double-story building and a basement car park,” he added. Other features include a fully serviced site that includes power, gas, telco, potable water, recycled water, and wastewater.

Bingara Gorge is close to national parks and cultural hubs with amenities such as shopping, dining and recreational facilities. The master-planned community boasts parks, a village hub, a recreational centre, and an 18-hole Graham Marsh-designed golf course. It has easy access to freeways, including the Hume Highway, and a proposed off-ramp to service the area.

There’s also the proposed country club and three major developments in the precinct, which are attracting a mix of young families looking for value-for-money housing options and luxury living. 

The vacant block is located on the other side of the Hume from NSW-government-owned Landcom’s 6-star green 871-hectare development, Panorama Estate, in North Wilton. There, 5600 homes, including 10 per cent affordable housing, are earmarked to tackle the city’s housing crisis.

One of Wollondilly Shire’s key attractions is the affordable housing market. The median house price in Wilton is $1.05 million, whereas the shire average is $1.02 million, compared with $1.37 million for Greater Sydney.

Sethi said Sydney’s north-west fringe area was nearing completion, with interest in the south-west booming.

“The north-west is pretty much all done. So, now, with all the developments happening, it’s more towards the south-west at the moment,” he added.

Another private development, Wilton Greens Estate, in Wilton, has 3600 homes planned.

Wollondilly Shire Council is considering a fourth housing development in nearby Appin, just 15 minutes’ drive away. It is considered Australia’s largest-ever standalone housing development application.

The controversial Walker Corporation proposal aims to ease Sydney’s housing crisis by building more than 9000 homes and a $1.9 billion business park poised to create 10,000 jobs. However, concerns include no public transport in the area, inadequate water supplies and an endangered koala habitat.