News

Building a new home means knowing every intimate detail of the lot, the home, the orientation and the area. But for many, the meaning behind their street name can remain an unpondered mystery.

All streets in Catherine Park Estate have been named after either previous landowners in the area now known as Catherine Park Estate or eminent Australians (Companions of the Order of Australia). As residents begin moving into St James, we present some of the namesakes behind the addresses.

Catherine Park Estates newest resident is from Mangrove Mountain on the Central Coast; lively, welcoming and environmentally-minded. ‘Fifi’ – the 10-metre high Ficus Hillii Fig tree – will welcome residents from her central position on the second roundabout at Catherine Park Drive, adjacent the Kensington precinct and sports fields.

The new green addition to Catherine Park Estate was delivered before dawn on Friday 16 March. It arrived on a semi-trailer and was planted with the help of an entire team of people, along with two cranes.

There are so many thoughts and emotions one faces on the cusp of building a new home. The possibilities seem endless (and somewhat confronting) and after a while, it can be difficult to tell one floor plan from another. Here are five elements to consider upfront to ensure a smooth planning process and a home that meets your every aspiration.

1. Work with your lot

The summer holidays are now a set of sepia-coloured memories and faded tan lines, and we are excited to launch into 2018 with a bigger bang than ever. Our community is coming to life before our very eyes and there are so many exciting opportunities for the year ahead.

More than 150 homes in Catherine Park Estate are now occupied, with more settling every week. As we see increasingly more houses lit up at night time, we are incredibly proud of the community taking shape. We think of new residents preparing meals, setting tables and sitting down together, creating new routines and memories in their new homes. Soon, residents will have access to St James Park and Robbins Lane, both of which will create new avenues for outdoor entertainment and leisure.

There is little doubt about the benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables. It means little to no pesticides, savings at the checkout, an excuse to do physical exercise and a great life lesson for children. But many people are deterred from setting up their own patch for aesthetic reasons. And for others, it all seems too hard. But with the right planning and know-how, they can be a gourmet gem.

The Healthy Eating Pyramid prescribes five serves of vegetables or legumes and two serves of fruit every day, and there is no doubting the physical benefits of eating healthily. Planting your own produce means you know exactly how it has been grown; you control the soil quality, the use of pesticides and the maturity at which it is picked. In a society that is increasingly exposed to chemicals and shortcuts, it is refreshing and reassuring to know that your produce was grown the old-fashioned way.