$205M Parkers Grove Estate moves from vision to reality

By Natasha Fujimoto

CONSTRUCTION has officially begun on the $205 million Parkers Grove Estate in Shepparton’s southeast, marking a major milestone for one of Greater Shepparton’s largest master planned communities in recent years.

Representatives from developer Goldfields, Greater Shepparton City Council and civil contractor Winslow gathered on Wednesday, October 28, to turn the first sod at the historic former pear orchard site, where the iconic Percy the Pear statue once overlooked the region’s orchards. The development is expected to deliver 650 homes and accommodate around 2,000 residents, with land currently available from $273,500 and a range of generous lot sizes on offer.

Parkers Grove is the first residential estate approved under the Shepparton Southeast Precinct Structure Plan. In March, it became the first project to secure subdivision plan approval under the framework before launching Stage 1 sales in May.

Goldfields National Director of Communities Paul Cicchiello said the project had been years in the making since the company acquired the site in 2021.

He thanked Greater Shepparton City Council for its support throughout the planning process and said Goldfields was committed to building more than just a housing estate.

Major upgrades to Channel Road and the Archer and Channel roads intersection are scheduled to be completed within the first few stages of the project, improving access and safety for future residents.

Once complete, Parkers Grove will feature a one-hectare central park, landscaped waterways, walking trails and community-focused open spaces.

“We’ve worked to design an estate that is for everybody,” Mr Cicchiello said.

“We think it’s a wonderful location. It’s within a 9-minute drive to absolutely everything you could ever need in life, so we’re very excited to deliver the estate.”

The development also draws inspiration from the site’s agricultural past, with its name reflecting both the Parker family’s connection to the region and Shepparton’s celebrated pear-growing heritage.

“The Parker name goes back to historic Mooroopna, while ‘Grove’ pays homage to the pear-growing region of Shepparton and the site’s history as a pear farm,” Mr Cicchiello said.

A network of wetlands will form a key feature of the community, combining water-sensitive urban design with attractive recreational spaces for residents.

“The wetlands will evolve as the project evolves to be a feature, and we’ll make that a place where people can sit by the water, have a picnic, read a book and enjoy something that’s been created for the community,” he said.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Geoff Akers welcomed the development, describing it as an important addition to the municipality’s housing supply.

“Shepparton is the best place in rural Australia, not just rural Victoria, to do business,” Cr Akers said.

“We’re certainly pleased that Goldfields has chosen to come and develop here and help us with the expansion of housing and development right across Greater Shepparton.”

Titling for Stage 1 of Parkers Grove is expected in the third quarter of 2027.

Land enquiries are welcome by contacting Charlene Hipwell on 1300 311 831 or visiting their offices at 378 Wyndham Street, Shepparton (opposite NAB).