The Gazette continues its series on the best streets in the Hawkesbury with the spotlight this week on Bligh Park.
With two primary schools, playing fields, a community centre, bike and walker-friendly laneways and paths, Bligh Park was set up for families from the start. But unlike the townships profiled in our series thus far, it was harder to name clear frontrunner prestige streets; it’s more the best pockets.
However driving round, guided by local estate agents’ picks, there are a lot of beautiful pockets.
While it was set up as a fairly entry level suburb, most blocks are around 600m2 and you’ll now need only a whisker off half a million dollars to get the cheapest property there – usually a two-bedroom duplex.
As to the best street, Allan Ingleton of Greenwood Property Group reflected for a while but said it would probably be Dorrington Crescent on the far side of Windsor Park Public School, being the most recently subdivided section opened up in 2000, with a high proportion of grand two-storey homes.
He said one sold there late last year for $990,000 and one around Christmas 2015 for $925,000. He said that same year one sold in Golden Grove for $930,000.
He said Rich Close at the front of Bligh Park held a record for a while.
Mr Ingleton said the suburb, which started in 1984, really took off in the late 80s and early 90s.
“Around ‘88 it went crazy – people camped out where the shops are now to get a block number,” he said. “I bought a block in Uren Place in 1987 for $26,000. We built a nice three-bedroom Allworth home on it for $47,000 and put a pool in for $20,000. I heard a rumour it sold recently for $720,000.”
He also likes one section of Guardian Crescent.
Agent Adam Buchert of Starr Partners Windsor also named “the top section of Guardian Crescent” as his favourite, along with Juliana Place, Dorrington Crescent, Kentwell Drive, and Etherden Road.
He also likes the precinct around Wetherill Place, including McPhee Place and Rich Close.
“Fullerton Crescent used to be the top street in the 90s but is a bit tired now. Bateman Place as well,” he said.
Agent Brian Speechley of Speechley Property named his favourite streets as Harradine Crescent, Fullerton Crescent, and Golden Grove.
“Bligh Park is still one of our most popular areas – there’s quick access to Richmond Road and the M7, and you are in Richmond or Windsor in minutes,” he said.
When asked about the graffiti problem there in years past, he said “the entire area has grown up. I’m in Windsor Rotary and we clean the graffitti off. We’re now struggling to find any to remove!”
He said “some areas are starting to show their age”, being 30 years old, but “there are shops, Maccas, the leagues club, playing fields, Tiningi and it’s still affordable”.
“It’s an area where younger families can still buy into.”
The Gazette drove around Bligh Park on Friday morning, January 13. Here are our impressions.
Harradine Crescent: lovely paved cul de sacs off one side, and well-kept street cul de sacs off it on the other. The odd overgrown garden let it down a little.
Guardian Crescent: Winds around Colonial Reserve with children’s play area. Has huge stormwater corridor with path, being used by several families when we saw it.
Juliana Place: This has to be up there with Dorrington Crescent as one of the best Bligh Park streets. One side backs onto bush and just about every property is meticulously kept with lovely front gardens.
Fullerton Crescent: A pleasant winding street with lots of street trees. Not as well kept as Juliana Place properties.
Rich Close: This could be a premium Bligh Park street of the ilk of Claremont Crescent in Windsor but needs every house to pull its weight garden-wise. The little forest in the middle island could be made into a showpiece.
McPhee Place: This was one of our favourites – a wide, clean, beautifully maintained street, with no house letting down the side. Just needs some street trees planted as there is no shade.
Pearson Street: a row of two-storey homes is being built here now – could be a future millionaire’s row if they put the gardens and trees in early.
Arkell Drive: This street has some glorious homes, and has bush on one side, giving more privacy and peace and quiet.
Etherden Road: This was one we discovered just by driving past – a beautiful street, consistently top notch along its whole length. Could do with more street trees.
Dorrington Crescent: Some grand mansions as well as many good quality single-storey homes. Next to Windsor Park, and accessed by lovely avenue of gums on the last section of Rifle Range Road. Next to walking tracks in Windsor Downs Reserve.
