DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 2026

With Stage One now sold out and civil works nearing completion, Bright Valley is taking shape. New pathways, parks, and the beginnings of the monocline corridor will soon be key features across the site, setting the foundation for active living every day in the High Country. From al fresco spaces at home to gathering places like the amphitheatre, the outdoor experience has been central to every decision. Here, Jonathan Deague shares the latest project updates, early sales insights and what residents can look forward to as Bright Valley continues to grow.

Stage One has now sold out. What does that milestone mean for you and the rest of Deague Group?
We weren’t sure Stage One would sell out the plan entirely, so the demand has far exceeded our expectations. We built the display, which certainly helped, but buying a house in a regional area is an emotional decision. What’s happened is we’ve found that buyers tend to know Bright really well, which has helped drive decision-making. They’ve spent so much time in the area that they’re already one hundred per cent in on Bright. This result has been amazing. Everything was sold before we even began the civil works. And besides a couple of boards on site, the website and the Bright Valley Echo, we didn’t invest too heavily in marketing. We had all these ideas for big campaigns, but in the end, we sold the first release with very little. For me, heading up sales, it’s exciting to have a development with such demand, and it means we’re confident for the future stages.

What do you put that success down to?
Bright is such a unique town. We put a few boards up and enquiries came from people just driving by. So there’s also been great word of mouth. I’ve also done seven or eight sales just internally, mostly from family and friends, and a lot of friends of friends. For me, a really satisfying part of working on Bright Valley is that everyone you deal with is lovely. All the buyers are fantastic. They’re generally outdoor people looking for a change, or families who want to spend more time outside. They’re active, fit and smiling. What’s made it an easy sell is that so many buyers already know Bright. Some have been coming here four times a year for thirty years. They know the town inside out. I’ve sold property for twenty-five years across tough industries, and Bright Valley is the opposite. Buyers here are genuinely thrilled about what they’re buying. There’s a good mix of hikers, cyclists and even people coming for the gold. It’s been enjoyable and positive, and it sets a strong tone for the future community.

You mentioned earlier that time spent in Bright often seals the deal. Can you give an example?
Yes. A family friend of one of our staff members in Melbourne bought it after staying for a weekend in Bright. It actually rained the entire time, and they still had the best weekend! They rode bikes in the freezing cold rain, spent time together as a family and absolutely loved it. That was what got them over the line. I’ve found that’s what people want: time with family, time outside, something they don’t always get in the big city.

Turning to the homes themselves, how would you describe the outdoor-living aspect at Bright Valley?
Bright is all about the outdoors. Whether it’s summer or winter, people are there to get outside. The design of the homes complements why people come to Bright. In fact many buyers have told me they are already considering small backyard saunas or cold plunges. All the backyards have great aspects. Ninety-five per cent of the homes are single-level, and the way the homes are oriented means you can sit outside with beautiful views and no city lights.

What was your brief to Human Habitats about the development of public realm?
At Deague Group we never want to develop something that’s just houses. The village and community feel is the key to everything. The masterplan is about activation, movement and how people use public areas. Right now, with roads going in, you can start to see the shape. But once the monocline and landscaping go in, that’s when it all comes to life. From the start, this has been a legacy project. We want people to drive through in the future and immediately see the long-term vision. We’re doing more in the area and want Bright Valley to be a project we’re proud of for decades.

Is there one feature of the outdoor spaces you’re most excited to see built?
If I had to pick one, I’d say the amphitheatre. It will be a place where people can gather, and it’s going to be pretty special. It’s cut into the land, shaped beautifully, and sits within a wider cluster of spaces. I can already see families sitting there, people having picnics, community gatherings. It will be a natural meeting point for the development.

Where is the project up to now on site?
The civil works are basically completed. The next step is signing everything off with the council and authorities, so we can start building Stage One, which is the first sixty-two houses. The civil works then roll into Stage Two, which is another fifty-two houses. The plan is to start building around March, with the first homes settling later in 2026.

For someone who is interested in learning more about purchasing a home at Bright Valley, what would you recommend?
Once people get up there, they get it. Many Melbourne buyers visit the showroom first, then come up to the site to see it for themselves. Honestly, there’s no bad weekend in Bright. People always have the best time. They visit wineries, ride e-bikes, and explore the town. And of course, they can come to the display home and see the quality of what we’re building for themselves. I’m also excited for Stage One to be finished so locals can see what we’re producing. I feel that when they do, the whole town will feel proud of Bright Valley. The entire design, especially the outdoor spaces, will complement Bright. It’s going to be something really special.