Lakeside Goolwa Residential Village at ‘capacity’, seeks to rezone land under expansion plan

A retirement and lifestyle village on the Fleurieu is seeking to nearly double in size, proposing to rezone land to allow an expansion.

A residential retirement and tourist park would double its size at Goolwa under new plans to rezone a large section of land.

Lakeside Goolwa Residential Village – a retirement and lifestyle community for over-50s – is “at capacity” and seeking to expand into about 7.7ha of land just north of the SA town.

The land is zoned rural living, which allows only for semirural homes on larger blocks, and needs to be changed to allow the park owners to begin the next stage of development.

Lakeside Goolwa is a residential park of 158 occupied sites and a range of communal facilities, Ekistics project manager Ryan Moyle said.

The park owners now plan to build a second, similarly-sized residential community, effectively doubling the size.

The map showing the section of land – outlined in orange – at Goolwa that would be rezoned under a plan to extend the Lakeside Goolwa Residential Park.

“There is still a substantial unmet demand generated by new residents looking to reside within this existing community, combined with existing residents of Goolwa seeking to downsize, without having to leave the township and region,” Mr Moyle said.

“It is quite clear that at both the state and federal level, there is an urgent need to provide a range of new housing supply in order to enhance affordability and choice for homeowners and occupiers – this needs to consider options for the older community, empty nesters and downsizers.”

The plans say the extended Lakeside Goolwa Residential Park could look something like this.

He said the proposal – now out for public consultation – does not include the actual development of houses, infrastructure and roads, which would be a separate application.

The new village, if it were approved, would be of similar size, scale and density as the existing complex.

The affected area is near Banfield and Fidock roads at Goolwa.

Planning documents say the rezoning would allow affordable living, short-term accommodation and associated services in an open landscaped setting.

It also provides for caravan and camping sites, cabins, and transportable dwellings, with toilets or community and recreational facilities.

Other over-50s lifestyle and recreation parks have been proposed around SA, including one at Victor Harbor and another at Murray Bridge.

Under some setups, residents own their houses and lease the land from the park owners, who also build community centres, sports and recreation facilities, pools, gardens and even movie theatres.

The public consultation will include two drop-in information sessions and end on July 31.