A retirement facility that would feature 113 villas, a clubhouse and “summer pavilion” has been proposed for a hinterland township.
A development application has been submitted to Sunshine Coast Council to establish the facility on 6.54 hectares at Buzaki Road, Glass House Mountains.
A town planning report by Innovative Planning Solutions on behalf of Gemstone Lifestyle No.9 Pty Ltd and Ruby Developments Pty Ltd outlines that the resort would be part of the Living Gems group.
“The development is aimed at the active over-50s demographic of the population and will deliver a diverse range of high-quality residential living options,” the report states.
Each of the 113 single-storey dwellings would have two bedrooms, a multipurpose room and two garaged car spaces. Residents would have the option of three different dwelling designs.
The report also outlines the range of amenities that could be included in the development, which would be delivered in six stages.
“Residents have access to an extensive range of high-quality communal spaces and facilities within the resort including the main clubhouse, Summer Pavilion and pool, residents’ workshop and a range of recreational facilities including pickleball court, tennis court and outdoor lap pool,” it says.
Each dwelling would accommodate no more than two people and a total of 35 visitor car parking spaces would be provided.
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The report acknowledges the site is “not readily located within the prescribed walking distances of an activity centre, a transit station or public transport stop”, with the Glass House Mountains town centre about 1.8km away.
“An integrated residential retirement community of this nature offers private independent transport options for residents, by way of shuttle bus which will regularly operate from the site to other key centres and service nodes within the region,” it states.
“Furthermore, the future residents are anticipated to primarily utilise private vehicle transport options.”
The site has frontages to Buzaki Road, Fern Tree Road and Aspect Way. Primary access would be via Buzaki Road, with emergency-only access from Fern Tree Road.
It is cleared of native vegetation, having historically been used for agriculture. An established macadamia orchard is situated to the west, which the report says would necessitate a 30m buffer to the proposed development.
According to its website, Living Gems is “an experienced, established developer of master-planned over-50s lifestyle resorts throughout Queensland”. On the Sunshine Coast it has resorts at Pacific Paradise and Maleny.
The application for a Development Permit for a Material Change of Use (Retirement Facility comprising 113 villas, clubhouse and communal facilities) is subject to code assessment.
Sunshine Coast News attempted to contact Living Gems but did not receive a response.
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