The first residents have moved into the newest suburb which will eventually be home to 4,000 people in the Sunshine Coast’s fastest-growing community.
Happy householders have been settling into Banya, the third suburb within Aura which is a $5 billion master-planned development by Stockland.
Banya’s land release in July offered home on sites ranging from 280 to 590sqm. An August release includes home sites from 280 to 439sqm.
Banya — a name inspired by the Bunya Tree — will have a range of community facilities, including a proposed state primary school and private P-12 school, two neighbourhood village centres and up to three childcare centres.
There are also plans to include two business parks, 10 sporting grounds, 25 community facilities, 20 educational facilities, and over 800 hectares of conservation areas and parkland.
All homes will be within 400m of a green space such as a five-hectare district recreation park and a range of neighbourhood parks and playgrounds.
Among the newcomers is Michelle Parisi and her family of four, including husband Joel and children Jeremy and Gabriella.
They decided to relocate from regional New South Wales after Michelle visited her sister in the community’s first suburb of Baringa.
“After years of seeing what Aura had to offer, we knew this was going to be our next move,” she said.
“So, when Banya became available we said ‘Let’s go for it.
“We like the area, the weather and how close everything is, like the beach and bush walks. It’s so convenient.”
She said it was vastly different from living in rural Cobar which is about 570km north-west of Sydney.
“Coming from a country town, this is quite an upgrade for us,” she said.
“It’s a lifestyle change.
“Being close to the beach is something we really enjoy, along with the shopping.”
They purchased a three-bedroom house with a double garage and a small yard on a 392sqm block.
“Our kids are 15 and 12, so we don’t need a lot of space,” Michelle said.
“We downgraded (size) but we’re a lot closer to bigger things and there are more opportunities for the kids.”
They are also close to work.
Michelle is a receptionist at an electrical services business at Baringa while Joel is a mechanic at a motorcycle repair business at nearby Corbould Park.
“The best part of moving into Banya has been the people (at Aura),” Michelle said.
“All the families here have been so welcoming, and it has been great becoming part of such a connected community,” she said.
“Not only is this community so friendly but it is also close to all the great facilities we need.
“We have shopping centres, restaurants and parks all close by. We feel honoured to be Banya’s first residents.”
Michelle expected an influx of residents.
“There are houses going up everywhere, it’s amazing” she said.
Stockland Project Director Josh Sondergeld said Banya was an ideal home.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first residents to Stockland Aura’s newest suburb,” he said.
“People are at the heart of the spaces we create.
“Young children, teenagers, parents and grandparents all contribute to Aura becoming a vibrant, connected and liveable community.
“We know our new residents will enjoy everything Banya has to offer, from our parks and green spaces to our future schools and neighbourhood village centres all connected by Aura’s extensive dedicated cycle network.
“We look forward to seeing our community continue to grow in the coming years.”
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Construction started on Aura almost seven years ago, for individuals and families seeking a lifestyle close to schools, childcare, shopping, parks, playgrounds, cycleways, sports fields and employment hubs.
The 6-Star Green Star certified community is home to more than 11,000 residents and was expected to have a population of 50,000 during the next 25 years.
Its three suburbs are Baringa, Nirimba and Banya, with another suburb, Gagalba, on the way.
For more information about Banya or Aura, visit the Aura Sales and Vision Centre at 1 Lukin Terrace, Baringa, Queensland. Alternatively, visit Stockland-Aura.
