If you think there’s been a lot of growth around Ipswich in the past few years, you’d be right. Former semi-rural areas across the Ripley Valley and Deebing Heights have transformed into bustling new suburbs showcasing contemporary homes with modern infrastructure and amenities to attract buyers from near and far.

Future home owners, Michael and Julie-Anne Loomes (pictured, with baby Charlotte, 11 months) are the first buyers to secure land at Torhaven, Deebing Heights where they plan to build their forever home.

The development, off Rawlings Road, is currently being transformed into what promises to be one of the region’s most beautiful elevated parkland communities, and the Loomes hope to move into their new home at Torhaven mid next year.

Michael and Julie-Anne are currently living at Springfield Lakes, and say they are moving because “We want to be able to raise our daughter in our forever home”.

With a major park and playground being delivered in the first stage of the development, and the Deebing Heights State School just across the road, makes Torhaven an ideal place for the Loomes to raise their family.

Just how much growth?

When the 4,680 hectare Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) was declared by the Queensland Government back in October 2010, the vision was to provide 50,000 dwellings to house a population of approximately 120,000 people. The Census shows an average of 3.5 per cent population growth across Ipswich over the past ten years, with an increase of some 38,000 people between the 2011 and the 2016 Census, taking the Ipswich population to over 200,000.

APM PriceFinder reports that there have been some 24,000 land sales across the whole of Ipswich since 2010. According to CoreLogic RP Data, in the past three years there have been 1,350 land sales in the Ripley Valley area alone. It’s no wonder the Queensland Government declared that the Ripley Valley PDA to be located in one of the largest industry growth areas in Australia.

What makes the Ripley Valley so popular?

There are nine major new land subdivisions currently being marketed in the Ripley Valley area. Research conducted by Oliver Hume shows the majority of buyers in the Ripley Valley area are coming from South East Queensland. About a third are from Ipswich, 25 per cent from Springfield, 20% from Brisbane, and around 10% from the North Lakes region of Moreton Bay.

There’s no doubt affordability is a driving factor with the average land price in the Ripley Valley still under $200,000. By comparison, the average land price in Springfield Lakes is $277,750, and in Brisbane it’s more than double at $417,500.

However, what is really attracting buyers to the Ripley Valley is the chance to live in a new community with new, reliable infrastructure, surrounded by quality homes in what is considered a friendly neighbourhood.

The valley is blessed with good proximity to major employment nodes, numerous child care centres, a new primary school, plus a new shopping centre – with more in the making.

With a snarl-free road network, handy buses and a new train line planned, the Ripley Valley is a very convenient and appealing place for any family to build their forever home.

Would-be buyers are invited to check out land for sale at Torhaven’s new sales office, at the opening event from 11am – 3.00pm on Saturday 14 July. Bring the family for a free BBQ and face painting, and check out the new interactive touch-screen masterplan, allowing buyers to walk down the streets of and see the view from their chosen block of land in virtual reality.