The $1.5 billion expansion of Australia’s largest air force base at Amberley near Ipswich has triggered a local property boom with a new $350 million masterplanned community set to capitalise on the nearly 2,000 new base staff and their families moving to the area.

On completion the Waterlea community will comprise of 1,500 homes across eight neighbourhood pockets with a population of about 4,500. Each community pocket will be connected by parks, hiking and bike trails, with community areas for concerts and vast green spaces all available for residents to enjoy.

Stage 1 of the 185 ha site is nearing completion with a selection of homesites ranging from 400sqm to 885sqm and prices starting at $159,000.

Waterlea is expected to make a major contribution to satisfying demand for new homes in the area with Ipswich’s current population of 190,000 projected to increase to 435,000 by 2031.

Read the full story at theurbandeveloper.com.