Controversial Sunshine Coast retirement village receives five-week extension after preliminary approval

A multimillion dollar proposed hinterland retirement village remains on pause after developers were hit with more than 60 conditions.

A multimillion-dollar proposed retirement village on the Sunshine Coast remains on pause after developers secured a further five-week suspension of the application process.

It is the third such extension granted for Highgate Development which lodged an application with the Sunshine Coast Council in November last year for a 275-home retirement village at Savilles Road in Nambour.

Town planners emailed the Sunshine Coast Council on behalf Highgate Development on June 25 to request a five week extension “to the appeal suspension period … to provide officers with more time to review the representation material.”

The council has since agreed to grant Andrew and Jo Pitcher of Highgate Development the extension until July 29.

Andrew Pitcher from Highgate Developments is behind plans for a $70 million retirement village at 3-53 Savilles Road, Highworth.

It comes after the developers were granted an extension earlier this month after a preliminary council approval slapped the project with 64 conditions.

The developers were also asked to provide a revised plan to demonstrate that management facilities and care facilities would be available to support and meet the needs of residents.

The controversial village has been met with a barrage of concerns from local residents and the Sunshine Coast Environment Council.

Updated documents submitted to the council on June 15 showed the original plans for the complex had been cut back further from 236 to 233 dwellings.

An elevated pedestrian crossing had also been introduced across the main road.

A boardwalk and path were also added on the eastern side of the waterway and an emergency access added to Vivian Street.

A controversial proposed retirement village near Nambour has been given the go ahead after the Sunshine Coast Council granted developers a preliminary approval.

The village is set to feature two and three bedroom homes and community facilities including function rooms, pools, tennis courts, a bowls green, cinema, gym and a Men’s Shed.

Peter Bradford has lived on Savilles Road for more than 30 years and has voiced his opposition to ‘The Grove’ loudly over the past few months making representations to local councillor David Law and holding community meetings.

He says despite the changes he’ll be making further submissions against the proposal to the council.

“Of further concern and because it is not highlighted in the council’s preliminary approval conditions, is the continued loss of koala habitat,” Mr Bradford said.

“The very trees I've been arguing should be retained by more appropriate layout and footprint of buildings and infrastructure, are koala food.”

Peter Bradford at the potential site of a retirement village at Highworth.

Mr Bradford said he was also concerned about water resources.

“The site is within the relevant mapped area for our drinking water and deserves the very best efforts to ensure that is not contaminated,” he said.

“The potential impact on agricultural land use to the north also doesn’t appear to be considered in any of the plans.

“This must be an issue for those affected and has wider implications than just those for nearby residents.”

He believes however there could be a suitable outcome.

“Fortunately … our Sunshine Coast Council town planners have shown a determination in getting this proposal into a form that will provide a win-win outcome,” he said.

Mr Bradford was now encouraging others to have their say with the council.

Highgate Development did not respond to the Daily’s requests for comment.