Known as Wirraway, the development will feature 511 housing lots, delivered across six stages with one third of the development dedicated to open space and the rejuvenation of natural wetlands.

DHA is working with local builders will construct 250 of the homes for Defence members and their families while the remaining lots will be sold to the public.

To date 97 homes have been built in the first two stages of the development with a further 15 homes still under construction.

A development application is currently with Maitland City Council for 25 more homes which, if approved, will be delivered in October.

DHA Development Manager Gully Coote said providing quality homes for Defence members and their families is at the core of what his organisation does.

“Today, more than half of the land we develop is sold on the open market to ordinary Australian home buyers with Defence families as neighbours they can trust and appreciate,” Mr Coote said.

More than half of the Thornton site will be for sale through real estate agent Colliers with about 80 land lots already sold. Land in the next stage of the development is earmarked for sale this month.

Council has recently approved a new community park for Wirraway signing a works-in-kind agreement with DHA. The new $1.3million public facilities will include an aviation-themed playground, fitness station, flying fox, half-sized basketball court and bike ramp.

Thornton is the major growth corridor with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment forecasting Maitland’s population to increase by 50 per cent by 2036.

DHA also has developments earmarked for Stockton’s Fort Wallace and the old rifle range at Fern Bay for future housing needs in 2020-2023.

Mr Coote said as the community grows DHA will contribute $9 million to the upgrade of the intersection of Government and Raymond Terrace roads and traffic facilities in Thornton North.

“Wirraway is setting the benchmark for sustainability in the region as the first residential community in the Hunter to receive an environmental excellence accreditation from the Urban Development Institute of Australia,” he said.