"They plan to create one of the largest new urban developmentsin Australia, a small city with residences for 25,000 people,"Avalon Park developer Beat Kahli tells GlobeSt.com. The developerswill be studying trends in various housing design as well as howAmerican planers incorporate community standards, facilities,infrastructure and institutions in their planning and marketing,Kahli says.

Avalon is planned for 500,000 sf of commercial; about 250,000 sfof light industrial and warehouse ancillary uses; 225,000 sf ofgeneral office; 300 hotel rooms; a 180,000-sf town center; an18,000-sf neighborhood center; and 4,023 single-family homes in 12villages. The build-out will take eight years.

The Australians will be visiting projects similar to Avalon Parkin various cities before returning home. Comland was formerlyDefense Industries Ltd. of Australia.