Manor Lakes : A Dennis Family Master Planned Community

Manor Lakes is one of the most recognisable and well-established communities in Melbourne’s fast-growing outer west. Designed for a lifetime of living, Manor Lakes is already 18 years into its development, with more than a further decade of growth at the estate still to come.

The enduring popularity of Manor Lakes can be attributed largely to its renowned affordability combined with the major attraction of having everything families are looking for in today’s lifestyle already in place. No other developments in the local area can offer residents the same level of access on their doorstep to schools, shopping, public transport, community and recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds and ovals, along with an abundance of open spaces and beautiful wetlands.

Manor Lakes has been expertly master planned by the Dennis Family Corporation with a strong sense of community at its heart. Various neighbourhood precincts have been created within the estate, appealing to everyone from first home buyers, through to larger families or those downsizing.

When was the site acquired?

The late 1980s demonstrating that a strategic purchase can yield long term benefits.

How long did it take to get an approval and what were the challenges?

More than a decade transpired between the acquisition of the site until commencement; due initially to rezoning requirements and subsequent approvals of the development plan and other relevant permits. Other challenges prior to commencement included negotiations over the delivery of infrastructure and assessing the timing of favourable market conditions in which to launch the project.

When was the first sod turned?

May 2002.

How big will the project be?

The development of Manor Lakes is still in progress. When complete, it will encompass in excess of 8,500 lots across the 750-hectare site. Manor Lakes is already home to a population of approximately 10,000 people and will eventually accommodate around 25,000 residents in total. It is estimated that the project will reach completion in the next 10-15 years…assuming market conditions return to normal.

What makes your project special/unique?

A masterplanned community located 40 minutes west of Melbourne, Manor Lakes is the Dennis Family Corporation’s largest ever residential development. In April 2016, Manor Lakes was given official status and recognition as a suburb in its own right, having formerly been classified as an estate within the suburb of Wyndham Vale.

The needs of the community are at the forefront of estate’s design. The natural and built environment of Manor Lakes has been carefully crafted to support an active and healthy lifestyle. The estate has been cited by residents as being an ideal place to raise a family due to its immediate access to a host of well-established amenities including schools, shopping, rail and bus network, library, community centre, parks, playgrounds, open spaces and recreational facilities. These amenities are well-connected by the extensive network of walking and cycling routes.

The most influential landscape factor that has shaped Manor Lakes has been Lollypop Creek. From the beginning, this important natural water course has helped form the estate layout. As a result of astute masterplanning, the community now enjoys an abundance of open spaces and natural connections that other estates cannot offer.

What is the cheapest apartment/townhouse/block of land/house that has been sold and when?

The first blocks of land sold at Manor Lakes in 2002 were priced from $51,000.

What is the most expensive apartment/townhouse/block of land/house sold and when?

The most expensive block of land to date at Manor Lakes was located in the estate’s Lakeside precinct and sold for $528,500 in 2019.

Note: Land pricing at Manor Lakes presently ranges from a low of $258,500 in the Lollipop Hill precinct to a high of $442,000 in the Lakeside precinct.

In addition to land sales, a selection of pre-constructed turnkey townhomes launched at Manor Lakes in 2019 have been priced at $425,000.

How has this project been influenced by the community?

From the outset, Manor Lakes has been positioned to offer affordability. It has always been a very popular estate amongst first home buyers and younger families, helping them to achieve their home ownership dream.

In recent times, whilst the emphasis on affordability still remains, as the community within the estate has grown the diversity of the product mix has been expanded to cater to a wider range of buyer expectations and changing market trends.

This has included the creation of different neighbourhood precincts within the development with different product offerings. These include the prestigious Lakeside precinct, which has become a destination of aspiration for new incoming residents and even existing Manor Lakes families who may have outgrown their first home.

Adding to the product mix, a selection of turnkey townhomes have been released for sale within the estate’s Lollipop Hill precinct since 2019. These attractively priced three-bedroom townhomes hold widespread appeal, being suitable for first home buyers, families and downsizers, and are ready for immediate occupation with completed landscaping.

How has this project influenced community?

The Dennis Family Corporation has a strong philosophy of collaboration with the community within and surrounding its developments to foster a stronger sense of community spirit.

In 2003, Dennis Family Corporation set up an annual initiative, the Manor Lakes Community Fund, which awards financial grants to local not-for-profit groups in the Wyndham area. Since its establishment, the Fund has distributed approximately $300,000 to local groups to assist a wide range of worthy projects.

Dennis Family Corporation also actively collaborates with the local community to foster community spirit through a wide range of initiatives including sponsorship of sporting clubs and organising several family-focused community events throughout each year.

Has your project won any awards?

Manor Lakes is one of a select group of Victorian developments to have achieved HIA GreenSmart accreditation, in recognition of minimal environmental impact, maximum energy efficiency and superior urban design.