Andergrove retirement village approved by Mackay council

Brisbane developers have the green light to build a new retirement village in Mackay more than 16 years after buying up more than 30,000 sqm of land for the project. SEE THE DETAILS.

Brisbane-based developers have received conditional approval to build a 111-unit retirement village in Mackay more than 16 years after buying up more than 30,000 sqm of land.

Wattle Street Property Group lodged an application for the village in 2018 with Mackay Regional Council this month approving the development.

The project would combine the 8094sq m lot at 50 Banskia Ave in Andergrove, which Wattle purchased for $1m in 2007, with the lot at 45 Wattle St, a 26,200 sqm property with a two-storey, three-bedroom home bought for $1.05m in 2006, according to realestate.com.au.

The home at 45 Wattle St in Andergrove which would have to be demolished to make way for a new retirement village as approved by Mackay Regional Council. Picture: realestate.com.au

Documents supplied to the council show the village has a two-bedroom manager’s residence plus 111 two-bedroom units each with a carport; open-planned kitchen, dining and living space; laundry with an adjoining toilet; a bathroom also with a toilet; and an outdoor terrace.

Design plans for a new retirement village along Banksia Ave and Wattle St in Andergrove, Mackay. Picture: Documents submitted to Mackay Regional Council

But before any construction can begin, Wattle must first apply for an Operational Works permit which requires it to meet the council’s conditions which include amending the designs to create a larger community gardens and landscaped open space, and ensuring the units have alternate designs, facades and colours.

Design plans for a new retirement village along Banksia Ave and Wattle St in Andergrove, Mackay. Picture: Documents submitted to Mackay Regional Council

Plans for the village must also include footpaths; a boules green; an exercise equipment station; a community centre with a kitchen, wet bar, tea and coffee area and a function space; a multipurpose, dividable room for games and meetings; a library reading area; and a room for a hairdresser or visiting doctor.

Wattle must also outline an area for a bus or emergency vehicle to park, ensure there are at least 28 visitor car parks, build an 1.8m high acoustic fences next to those parks plus along the common boundary of the village, and ensure there is parking for persons with a disability.

Wattle Street Property Group is directed by Natasha Stevenson, Christopher Vose and Stuart Kiernan of Brisbane as well as Brett Raphael of Frenchs Forest in NSW.

Any pre-existing infrastructure, like the home on 45 Wattle St that is currently listed for sale with Greg Chappell Real Estate, must also be demolished.

The project is subject to $2.357m in infrastructure charges.