The purpose of Newcrest was?

I'm gonna mimic what others have said. It's easy to make a save file that you can start all your new saves from! That way you dont have to spend time putting new lots in over and over again.

For me I liked the emptiness. Since It got released i've spent hours creating families, houses, community lots, back stories. Its been a great project to have when I get bored of playing live mode. I'm currently trying to make a Newcrest full of floating buildings and tree houses. Kind of like a fantasy world!