Back from the dead: 186 home gated community set to go ahead

EXCLUSIVE.

A revised plan for the 186-home gated community in New Norfolk, initially part of the larger master-planned community known as The Mills, is set to move forward. 

The renewed development called “Noble Life - New Norfolk Resort” will cater to residents over the age of 50 and is spearheaded by the Noble Family who specializes in similar communities across Queensland and New South Wales since 1997.

Noble Life New Norfolk Resort encompasses 9.5 hectares and will consist of architecturally designed homes constructed by Wilson Homes, a prominent builder in New Norfolk. Construction is slated to begin in March next year.

Since Omega Investment Holdings, the entity that was the project manager of The Mills went into administration in July this year, Daniel Noble and brother Roger have managed to separate their family’s business interests.

“We were the development managers for what was The Mills, but it was not our project,” Daniel Noble emphasises.

Noble Ventures is among 77 unsecured creditors of Omega Investment Holdings, which went into Voluntary Administration on July 16.

“Last year, we made offers to reconfigure this core element, the retirement community, to the project’s former overall managers,” Daniel Noble told the Gazette this week.

“In the past weeks, we’ve been able to make a financial arrangement that works, and have formed a new entity called New Norfolk LLC, with Noble Life as the developer. We can now go ahead.

“The fundamentals are still sound,” he said, “as they have been since my brother Roger and I came to New Norfolk three years ago. We loved this place then, as we do now, which is why we’re determined to go ahead with this smaller vision for the town.”

The first stage, now for sale, offers a selection of 26 architecturally designed two and three bedroom homes starting from $539,000. Resort amenities include a private clubhouse, with gym and sauna and indoor pool, along with a ballroom and bar, cinema and library.

“Despite the delays and challenges so many have faced in the housing and construction sector in recent years, we are more committed than ever to delivering this incredible resort community to the Tasmanian market,” Mr Noble concluded.

This $60 million project adds to a wave of recent multimillion-dollar investments in the area, including the conversion of Kensington racetrack for housing and Incat’s new shipbuilding facility at Boyer. 

On The Avenue alone, four projects—including the Corumbene health hub, Nurses Quarters, and a Woolworths supermarket represent over $20 million in local investment

FUTURE OF THE BROADER MILLS PROJECT KNOWN SOON

When Omega Investment Holdings, the previous owner of The Mills development was put into administration, the Noble Family - contract manager for the project - became one of 77 unsecured creditors.

Omega entered voluntary administration on July 16. An 86-page report released by SV Partners in Brisbane outlines the intricate relationships among the various companies and investors involved in the original Mills project. 

The Mills, initially envisioned as a 118-hectare community with 700 homes, also included plans for a market, hospitality and tourism facilities, medical services, and a large central park.

Launched in 2021 with a detailed planning report to secure zoning approvals, The Mills proposal was billed as a major renewal project for the Derwent Valley.

The site is a triangular area bounded by the Lyell Highway as it enters New Norfolk, and Glebe Road and Poulters Road on the hillside above.

To date, about a third of the planned homes have been completed, with 213 of the 718 approved building lots sealed, according to council records.

A ray of hope has since emerged that indicates The Mills might be recommenced.

Since going into voluntary administration, administrators have proposed a Deed of Arrangement which if completed would allow the company to restructure and continue trading.

Creditors were due to vote on the DOA on 26th September.