Civil works have begun on Clyde’s ‘Aurum on Clutha’ retirement village, a key milestone for the project.

Aurum director Tim Coughlan said he was “absolutely ecstatic” to get to this point and he hoped to see the first residents in one of the 122 villas before Christmas.

Aurum Clutha sales manager Warren Galletly said interest from Central locals had been strong, with 50 expressions of interest already received.

An indicative draft and artist rendering of top line villa called ‘Earnscleugh’

Local contractor Benchmark Construction has been moving around 600-800 cubic metres of dirt and organic matter per day, to level and prepare the ground.

This equates to 40-50 digger loads per day for the ‘stripping stage’ and also involves clearing tree roots and stumps. 

A team of five has been cutting down trees and building up a berm near the main highway which will be landscaped with plantings and help to minimise noise.

Civil works will continue for the next four to six months. Hammers will swing shortly, as the work on the 24 stage one villas will begin in the next month or so, and these have an 18 week timeframe.

Warren said he was excited now work was underway. 

Completion of a temporary common facilities building will coincide with the first people moving in. 

Tim said the village is expecting to be officially registered on the Retirement Villages Register soon, and once this approval is granted deposits can be placed on villas.

“This process and framework is to protect residents and it’s really important not to rush [it].”

Stage one villas are two or three bedrooms, ranging from $550,000 to $900,000.

The village is located between State Highway 8 and Muttontown Rd, near Clyde, and covers 7.8 hectares. It consists of 122 villas ranging in sizes and a 60-bed aged-care facility.