Toowoomba retirement village proposed to council at Gowrie Junction by GreenFort

More than 400 new homes for older residents could become a reality if a new retirement village is built in a high-growth area just outside Toowoomba.

Toowoomba’s retirement industry boom has continued, with another applicant lodging plans for a new over-50s resort worth nearly 450 homes just outside the city.

Brisbane property developer GreenFort has lodged plans with the Toowoomba Regional Council for a 442-dwelling retirement village off Gowrie Birnam Rd in Gowrie Junction.

According to the planning report by RPS Group, the new facility will feature mostly two-bedroom single-storey permanent homes for retirees.

“The proposed development comprises 422 independent retirement living units, intended to be delivered to the market as permanent seniors’ accommodation,” the report said.

Concept art and designs for Liven LLC Development Pty Ltd's new 442-dwelling retirement village, proposed for Gowrie Birnam Road at Gowrie Junction.

“The site is well located with respect to surrounding services and facilities and will make a positive contribution to the availability of housing within the Gowrie Junction locality.

“Overall, the layout has been designed to ensure safe and efficient movements throughout the site for both pedestrians and vehicles, with internal low speed roads operating as shared zones.

“Maximum visibility ensures safety for residents when driving and walking, with low to medium level landscaping treatments used throughout the estate.”

Concept art and designs for Liven LLC Development Pty Ltd's new 442-dwelling retirement village, proposed for Gowrie Birnam Road at Gowrie Junction.

Like other over-50s lifestyle resorts, the proposed village includes communal facilities like a country club and wellness centre for use by residents and guests.

“The resulting outcome is arguably above and beyond what is typically required by the planning scheme for such communal facilitates,” RPS Group said.

“The concept for the wellness centre has been designed to include an outdoor tennis/pickle ball court sited next to an indoor venue that will comprise an indoor pool and spa, a gymnasium, a golf simulator and a series of lounge spaces, meeting rooms and a cafe.

“Situated over two storeys, the country club concept comprises a range of facilities for residents, including a large outdoor pool and spa, lawn bowls, a 40-seat cinema, a further golf simulator, a table tennis and billiards room, as well as a variety of lounge areas, community meetings rooms and a large private dining room.”

Concept art and designs for Liven LLC Development Pty Ltd's new 442-dwelling retirement village, proposed for Gowrie Birnam Road at Gowrie Junction.

The project’s developers also plan to integrate the council-owned Premier Place Park into the facility, though further discussions with the TRC will be needed.

Reports were also submitted relating to noise, traffic, landscaping, stormwater and bushfire hazards.

As the application is considered code-assessable, no public notification campaign will need to be run by the developers.

According to its website, GreenFort specialises in retirement living, land lease arrangements, childcare centres, disability housing and “build to rent” projects.

The council has yet to respond to the application with an information request.

The lodgement comes just days after fellow over-50s specialists GemLife revealed it had started civil works on its new Highfields Heights project north of Toowoomba.

Retirement villages are also either proposed, approved or being built in Cotswold Hills, Kleinton and Torrington.

Originally published as Toowoomba retirement village proposed to council at Gowrie Junction by GreenFort