The Coast couple behind $70m village project

A Sunshine Coast couple is confident there will be strong demand for a $70 million development they’ve pitched for a hinterland town.

Andrew and Jo Pitcher are behind plans for a $70 million retirement village at 3-53 Savilles Rd, Highworth.

A Sunshine Coast couple is confident there will be strong demand for a $70 million development they've pitched for a hinterland town.

Andrew and Jo Pitcher of Highgate Developments have lodged a development application with Sunshine Coast Council for a 275-home retirement village on Savilles Rd at Highworth.

Mr Pitcher said the residential and land markets on the Sunshine Coast were strong, but after watching the retirement market for about 12 months he saw an opportunity.

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"We've been researching the economics of retirement villages verse land and it really comes down to getting (a property) of the right scale," he said.

Large lots of land can be a challenging find on the Coast, which was why the Highworth parcel caught Mr Pitcher's eye several years ago.

He said it was an ideal location for an over 50s and retirement village, given its location - 2km from Nambour Hospital - and its low density residential zoning.

"Covid has been good for the Coast in terms of people are looking for that sea-change and tree-change opportunity," Mr Pitcher said.

"I think we're only at the start of this.

Plans for one of the communal areas for Grove Retirement, proposed for Savills Rd, Highworth.

"When you look three years ahead there will be more demand for this product."

He estimated it would take about five years to construct the project, split into 15 stages.

Highgate Developments was launched six years ago, with a focus on residential developments in hinterland towns.

"We see this as a natural evolution of our business," Mr Pitcher said.

"The key will be getting a building partner who can manage the scale of the project."

He said they previously had approval for a smaller retirement village in a development they completed at Mooloolah Valley.

A $70 million retirement village is proposed for 3-53 Savilles Rd, Highworth.

But it did not go ahead given there was demand for residential land.

Both former Nambour school students, Mr Pitcher said they had an interest in the town's future.

"We're confident it will look very different in two years," he said.

"I don't 100 per cent buy into Nambour being an eclectic, grungy place.

"Nambour should also be a shopping and health hub … retail is something that I think will come back as more investment comes into town."

Mr Pitcher said pre-lodgement meetings were held with the council and with some residents.

He said he was not aware of any objections to the development.

Plans have been lodged for a retirement village at 3-53 Savills Rd, Highworth.

"It will be a predominantly low-rise development, with a small number of homes that will be double storey," he said.

"We have a beautiful site that backs onto Nambour Mapleton Rd and slopes away, and by keeping it predominantly low-rise it means other residents will keep their aspects and views."

The village, named Grove Retirement, will feature two and three bedroom homes and community facilities including function rooms, pools, tennis courts, a bowls green, cinema, gym, offices, a Men's Shed, a small golf centre and RV and caravan parking.

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