With the opening of a community garden, new residents moving in and an exciting release of apartments and townhomes, 2016 was a year to remember at Cornerstone Living. As 2017 approaches, now is the perfect opportunity to look back at the year’s highlights and thank everyone who has been part of our vision of creating a vibrant new neighbourhood in Sunnybank and Coopers Plains.

1. Residents move into their new homes

There’s nothing like the feeling of getting the keys to your new home, and this year we were thrilled to hand over the keys to 40 new apartments in Stage F. It has been great to see so many fresh faces around the precinct and new regulars at The Corner Cafe, which is fast becoming a bustling meeting place fuelled by Di Bella coffee.

This stage of apartments sold out and first home buyer Liam Stewart (pictured above) is one of the new residents who now calls Cornerstone Living home. “I was property hunting for nine months before I found Cornerstone Living and I was thrilled with what I could get for my money here,” he said. “My favourite part is the view from the balcony to the mountains in the distance.”

All our apartments and townhomes are eligible for the First Home Owner’s Grant.

2. First home owner’s grant increases to $20,000

This was the news we had all been waiting for – the Queensland Government has made it that bit easier for first home buyers to get into their own home. The $5,000 increase to the First Home Owner’s Grant is a significant help when you are saving to buy your own place.

Since the increase to the grant, we are seeing more interest from first home buyers who are eager to take advantage of the extra money, which is only available until June 30, 2017. This boost to the grant combined with historically low interest rates made 2016 a good year for property buyers.

The first plants go into the community garden.

3. New community garden for Sunnybank and Coopers Plains

Brisbane has the perfect climate for growing your own food and our residents are making the most of it in the new community garden, which opened in July. Since the opening – where Peter Russo MP State Member for Sunnybank joined us for a neighbourhood sausage sizzle – the garden has been a hive of activity.

Most of the 45 plots have now been rented and fresh crops of summer herbs, fruits and vegetables are coming through. The garden is now a place where residents are connecting with one another and making new friends. If you want to rent a plot, you can contact Janet at the Sales and Community Centre on (07) 3345 7127 for more information.

Our vision for the new community park.

4. Plans for a new community park are finalised

One of the most exciting things about Cornerstone Living is that we have the opportunity to create spaces that will reinvigorate the community. That’s why we were so excited to share our vision for the new park that will open next year.

We’ve been planning this park since Cornerstone Living first began and residents and are just as excited as we are to see this part of the neighbourhood take shape. The park will be available to the whole community, providing the perfect space for a picnic, exercise or relaxing with your favourite book. Construction begins next year and will be completed by mid 2017.

Inside the Ashwood series of townhomes.

5. New apartments and townhomes released

This year saw us release two exciting new collections at Cornerstone Living: The Pines apartments and Ashwood townhomes. If you want to call Cornerstone home, these releases give you the opportunity to find a place that best suits your lifestyle. Whether you are looking for an affordable apartment or the convenience of a larger townhome, we currently have a variety of options on the market.

Excitingly, both of these releases are right in the heart of Cornerstone Living next to the community park. Two bedroom apartments in The Pines start from just $399,00, while two bedroom townhomes at Ashwood start from $465,000.

Other notable mentions:

• We were a finalist at the National Property Council’s Innovation & Excellence Awards for Best Residential Development and Government Leadership.
• We were also a finalist in the Affordable Housing category at the UDIA QLD Awards for Excellence.
• The Corner Cafe introduced a popular new menu with the likes of pulled pork burgers, corn fritters, and roast pumpkin, quinoa and broad bean salads.