When the idea for the 'House that Drought Built' was thought up in October last year, Daniel Urquhart had no doubts the initiative would get off the ground.
"That's why we were so confident. Tamworth is a very generous place," Mr Urquhart, who owns GJ Gardner Homes Tamworth with wife Natalie, said.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site where the major tier partners - GJ Gardner, PRD, Lampada, Tamworth Regional Council and the Salvation Army - and members of the community came together to kick-off the build.
There was a great turnout for the ceremony, Mr Urquhart said, and senior project director of the McCloy Group - who developed Lampada - James Goode agreed.
"It was a great mix of sponsors, trades and locals onsite to lend a hand to the cause which is extremely close to the hearts those in the area. There was a real sense of excitement amongst those onsite, we look forward to seeing the build take shape," Mr Goode said.
The construction at the Lampada site will properly start this week - when machines hit the site - with the house expected to be finished mid-June before being auctioned off by PRD on July 25.
Proceeds from the sale will go to the Salvation Army to assist families in the region impacted by drought.
"The House That Drought Built will provide a considerable injection of funds into the rural support program which will allow us to extend this critical assistance to farmers in the Tamworth local government area," Salvation Army spokesperson Nicole Jenkinson said.
"It's an extraordinarily generous community initiative that makes a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of so many.
"The Salvation Army is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with GJ Gardner Homes, McCloy Group, Tamworth Council and PRD on this exciting project and we look forward to seeing this beautiful home come to life."
Suppliers and trades people will donate their time and energy to fight the drought by building the charity home.
A range of professionals from electricians, carpenters and concreters to painters and landscapers have been charging just the cost price for materials.
"There's a lot of hard work in this. There's some many parts," Mr Urquhart said.
"We've got the five main partners but there's the trades and supplies as well. They've been super generous."
