A retirement community provider has applied to add another facility to its rapidly expanding portfolio of properties on the Sunshine Coast.
Plantation Retirement Resorts has submitted plans for a 242-unit “vertical” retirement village on a 10,648sqm site at Sippy Downs.
The development would be spread across six buildings of varying heights, up to a maximum of 25 metres, and also include a manager’s residence, communal spaces and recreational facilities.
The site is currently vacant and has frontages to Sippy Downs Drive, Rocket Street, Sedge Street and Spring Street.
A planning report submitted to Sunshine Coast Council by Murray and Associates (QLD) Pty Ltd on behalf of Plantation Beachside says the proposal is a “practical well-designed multi-storey development”.
“Each building will be constructed across six stages sequentially and will feature a mix of six distinct two- and three-bedroom unit styles,” it states.
“The site is located within walking distance to the Sippy Downs Town Centre, providing convenient and substantial access to a range of services, amenities and the greater road network.
“The proposal is a gated community … providing future residents security and peace of mind as they move into their retirement years.”
The facility would include a beach-entry pool and terrace; entertainment terrace with barbecue; kitchen and amenities; cafe/lounge; library; gym; two multi-purpose rooms; community hall with stage; reception area and staff office; and a dog park.
Related story: Work begins on ‘vertical’ retirement resort
The subject site is in the High Density Residential Zone of the Sippy Downs Local Plan Area and the proposed development would be code assessable. Surrounding land uses comprise a driving range – which itself has been earmarked as a potential development site – and numerous multi-unit complexes.
The application also triggers assessment by the State Assessment and Referral Agency because it would consist of more than 200 dwellings.
The proposal includes 380 resident car parking spaces and 28 visitor spaces. Access would be via driveways on Spring Street and Sedge Street.
The unit density equates to 277 equivalent dwellings per hectare, which it says is compliant with the minimum 80 equivalent dwellings per hectare for the zoning.
The report acknowledges that a proposed two-metre landscape strip along road frontages does not meet the required three-metre strip, but argues that additional landscaped areas satisfy the three-metre requirement on average.
The planned development also does not meet the required number of spaces for caravans, boats or other recreational vehicles, but the report says “considering this is a vertical retirement resort … residents do not expect these facilities”.
The planning report also notes a discrepancy in the allowable building height.
“Whilst the Local Plan Area code specifies a maximum building height of six storeys and 25m fronting Sedge Street and Sippy Downs Drive, and a maximum four storeys and 15m fronting Rocket Street and Spring Street, it is clearly evident that the approved and constructed built form within the Local Plan Precinct Area exceeds the storey provisions and complies with the maximum 25m height limit across the various sites.”
Plantation Retirement Resort is a leading provider of luxury retirement communities for over-50s. Its website says it has facilities at Cotton Tree, Rosemount and Morayfield, with two more under construction at Maroochydore and Baringa.
