300-plus new homes in proposed over-50s lifestyle resort Ocean View at Encounter Bay

More than 600 new homes – from rental to larger blocks and lifestyle living – would be built in a small SA beachside town amid a huge rising demand for the area.

Artist impression of the entryway to the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

More than 600 new homes would be built at the small town of Encounter Bay, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, under two housing estates.

The most recent is a gated, over-50s lifestyle resort in a development worth more than $180m was put to public consultation last week.

The land-lease housing estate proposal by Goolwa Lifestyle Villages includes a community and function centre, with pool, cinema and ten pin bowling lanes, sports facilities and landscaped streets and gardens.

Called Ocean View Lifestyle Resort, 318 homes – single and two-storey – would be built on about 15.5ha of land along Waitpinga Rd, beside Civecon’s $250m Seascape housing estate.

Seascape is underway, with the first homes in stage one to be handed over in September – a huge boost to the town of about 5300 people.

Andy Ward from Goolwa Villages said the project cost more than $180m and provide stunning views from The Bluff to Granite Island.

Artist impression of the community centre at the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

Planning documents estimate the project means more than $200m for the local economy.

“The applicants have ensured that they prioritise local trades during the construction process and with approximately 40 per cent of residents coming from the local area, this opens up traditional housing for local families to help ease the housing shortage,” the documents say.

The vacant land at Encounter Bay, where the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort would be built.

A map of the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

Mr Ward said there was massive interest in retirees and downsizers moving to the Fleurieu.

“We have a huge database of people looking to move down this way … there is huge demand for these villages in SA, we’re trying to meet that demand,” he said.

“Subject to council, we would like to commence civil works as soon possible – we’d love to see the first people move in before the end of next year.”

As well as the community centre for residents, the resort includes indoor swimming pool, gym, lawn bowling, pickleball courts, golf simulator, and pool and table tennis tables.

Other areas would offer a cinema, library, outdoor veranda and lounges, men’s shed, and barbecue and kitchen.

A map of the community centre at the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

Walking and bike paths would wind throughout the estate linking different areas, wetlands, play spaces and water features.

Under the land-lease option, people own the houses and lease the land, enjoying the lifestyle offered by the resort-style community.

Two- or three-bedroom homes of four different options would range from about 140 to 300 sqm with small backyard areas.

The Ocean View developers already run Lakeside Goolwa, a similar resort for retirees and downsizers – where they have also applied to rezone land to expand in the small town.

Artist impression of houses along Waitpinga Rd at the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

The intersection of Waitpinga and Tugwell roads at Encounter Bay, where the residential lifestyle resort would go.

Artist impression of houses along Tugwell Rd at the proposed Ocean View Lifestyle Resort at Encounter Bay. Picture: Aspex Building Designers

Seascape – the 300-plus home housing estate under construction beside the proposed site of Ocean View – has sold all its stage-one allotments, Civecon director Ian Day said.

“The proposal for the (resort) land lease is to the side of that development,” Mr Day said.

“Stage one is getting handed over in September – we’re looking to start stage two construction in September too.

“We’ve sold out half of the next stage already and will probably do the next release in spring.”

A small retail strip is planned for stage three or four as Victor and Encounter grows, Mr Day said.

The view inside the Lifestyle Goolwa village resort, which would be similar to Ocean View.

Houses inside the Lifestyle Goolwa village resort.

Seascape, which ranges in blocks from 300-700 sqm, aims to cater for the full market, he said,

“From first homebuyers to downsizers and we’re providing a lot of rental accommodation, which they are struggling with down there – there’s not enough rentals to get the workforce they need in Victor, with a lot of the market being in retirement or holiday homes.”

As well as Goolwa, two other over-50s lifestyle resorts are planned across SA, including ones at Victor Harbor, Goolwa and 229 homes at Murray Bridge, while another one is being built at Mount Barker.