South East Queensland is entering a defining growth phase – a key factor in the evolution of our project, Whiterock, located in Ripley Valley.

The Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslanders strategy sets a target of delivering one million new homes by 2046, reflecting both the booming population growth and the need to diversify housing supply across the state

At the same time, Ipswich, close neighbour to Whiterock, continues to record strong population expansion, recently surpassing 265,000 residents, with growth projected to continue across the western corridor.

Against this backdrop, increasing housing choice – particularly well-located, medium-density product – plays an important role in supporting affordability, market mobility and long-term community stability.

The latest addition to Whiterock, the Northridge Townhomes, delivered in partnership with Intrapac subsidiary Avant Townhomes, represents a considered response to this demand: architecturally designed, low-maintenance homes positioned within an established masterplanned community.

It also holds true to Intrapac CEO, Max Shifman’s, ongoing focus on Townhomes being a feasible solution to help ease the housing crisis across the country. Not only do Townhomes offer the space first home buyers and young families require, but affords a more viable long-term solution to provide housing at scale.

A measured response to affordability pressures

Housing affordability across Queensland continues to be influenced by supply constraints. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland has consistently identified limited housing stock as a key driver of price growth and competitive conditions.

Delivering attainable housing in growth corridors like Ripley and Greater Springfield is therefore not simply a commercial opportunity – it is a necessary part of supporting broader market balance.

Northridge has been designed to provide:

• A more accessible price point relative to detached housing
• Functional floorplans suited to contemporary households
• Durable, low-maintenance materials that reduce long-term upkeep
• Integrated access to open space and planned community infrastructure
  

Importantly, affordability at Northridge does not come at the expense of architectural quality or environmental performance, aligning it perfectly with our overarching vision in place at Whiterock.

Low-maintenance living designed for longevity

Townhomes are increasingly recognised as an efficient housing option in high-growth regions. They provide a compact footprint while retaining private outdoor space and liveability – a balance particularly relevant for first home buyers, downsizers and time-poor professionals.

At Northridge, the design intent centres on durability and ease. Interiors are configured for practical daily living, with seamless connections to landscaped private open space. Materials and finishes are selected for resilience, minimising maintenance requirements over time.

As Hamish Macdonald, Senior Consultant at Avant Townhomes notes:

“We looked at every part of the process – taking the stress out of choosing, buying and maintaining your new home.”

This approach reflects a broader shift in buyer priorities: efficiency, predictability and simplicity are increasingly valued alongside aesthetics.

Energy performance aligned with Queensland’s evolving standards

Sustainability is now a baseline expectation for new residential development.

Queensland adopted the National Construction Code 2022 energy efficiency uplift in May 2024, introducing enhanced requirements for new homes. Northridge townhomes are designed to achieve a star rating of 6+ stars energy rating, aligning with these modern performance benchmarks.

Passive design strategies – including orientation to capture natural light and encourage cross-ventilation – reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling. According to Australia’s YourHome guidance, appropriate orientation and ventilation are key to improving thermal comfort in warm climates.

For residents, this translates to homes that are not only environmentally responsible, but more cost-efficient to operate over time – an important consideration as energy costs remain front of mind for many households.

Whiterock: Nature, Infrastructure and Long-term Planning

Whiterock’s setting adjacent to the 2,500-hectare White Rock–Spring Mountain Conservation Estate gives the community a distinct identity within the Ipswich growth corridor.

However, proximity to nature is only one dimension of its appeal.

The community is strategically located near Springfield, which offers established retail, health, education and transport infrastructure, including direct rail access to the Brisbane CBD. Infrastructure Australia has identified the broader Ipswich – Springfield corridor as an area of sustained population growth requiring coordinated transport and service investment⁷.

Within Whiterock itself, future amenity – including a planned village centre, schools and recreational facilities – underpins our long-term vision of a connected, self-sustaining neighbourhood.

Northridge is positioned directly opposite key community assets including the adventure playground and sports ovals, reinforcing walkability and everyday convenience.

Integrated Delivery Through Avant Townhomes

Avant Townhomes, a division of Intrapac Property, manages the delivery process from design through to completion. This integrated model supports quality control, programme certainty and alignment between design intent and built outcome.

With more than 300 homes delivered nationally, and supported by Intrapac’s 40+ years of development experience and industry recognition, the Northridge release benefits from established expertise and governance frameworks.

In collaboration with the architectural minds at Arcadia Studios, each home is designed with immense attention to detail to offer a sophisticated level of practicality combined with easy maintenance.

As David Hockley, Director at Arcadia Studio describes:

“Attention to detail in the architect designed kitchens and bathrooms ensures style, sophistication and premium finishes coexist with convenience, practicality and easy maintenance.”

This alignment between design, delivery and long-term stewardship reflects Intrapac’s broader approach to masterplanned communities.

The Role of Medium-density Housing in SEQ’s Future

Queensland’s housing strategy emphasises the importance of diversified housing typologies to meet future demand. Well-designed townhomes can contribute meaningfully by:

• Increasing housing supply in serviced locations
• Supporting downsizing within established communities
• Providing attainable entry points into the property market
• Optimising land use within growth corridors
  

As South East Queensland continues to expand, the delivery of medium-density product in masterplanned environments will be an important part of maintaining affordability and community resilience.

Northridge Townhomes at Whiterock represents one such contribution – expanding housing choice while maintaining design integrity, environmental performance and long-term community vision.

Discover Whiterock and the new Townhome release on the project website here.