Community to have their say on Living Gems Burpengary East bid

It’s time for the public to have their say, after a leading developer of “retirement resorts” launched a bold bid for a new lifestyle community, north of Brisbane. SEE THE PLANS HERE

Retirement resort powerhouse Living Gems is moving ahead with its latest bid for a 215-home “lifestyle resort” north of Brisbane.

Public submissions are now open for the multimillion project after a material change of use application was lodged with the Moreton Bay Regional Council earlier this year.

Further details have been revealed for the 12 hectares site at Burpengary East on Twists and Creek Rds is one of the latest projects by Living Gems.

The company, directed by Peter Puljich, runs several lifestyle resorts across south east Queensland, with communities in Logan, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.

According to its website, Living Gems Lifestyle Resorts build in “dream locations within proximity to shopping, medical, sporting and cultural facilities.”

The project spans across seven properties, 63-87 Twists Rd and 91- 101 Creek Rd, currently used for rural residential living.

Land owners at 73, 77 and 79 Twists Rd have given their written consent to the proposal.

The proposal includes 215 single-storey two-bedroom dwellings, a manager’s residence, club house, workshop and a pool summer house.

A total of 430 parking spaces are proposed with two per home in a double garage and 44 visitor spaces.

It will be built in four stages.

The entry road, manager’s unit, main community facilities building (the clubhouse) a lawn bowls precinct, resident’s workshop and bocce court will be delivered alongside Stage one.

Stage two will focus on the construction of the homes, with stage three vegetation works.

The final stage includes the delivery of the houses fronting Creek Rd along with the pool summer house, RV compound, manager’s workshop and a dog run.

Onsite facilities are set to include a 25m indoor pool, bowling alley, sauna, yoga room, gym, cinema, beauty / hair salon and a dance hall with stage and dressing rooms.

Also included is an outdoor BBQ area, tennis court, craft room, multi purpose room, library and golf simulator.

The proposal states that a future local centre or neighbourhood hub has been earmarked just 800m from the proposed development with the majority of urban services and facilities located just 2.5km from the site.

According to the planning report, a field survey was conducted to observe possible koala habitats.

“Although no koalas were observed on site during the field survey … of the 30 habitat trees surveyed, scats were located under one indicating that use of the area by koalas is low,” the report stated.

“The mapped core koala habitat area will be retained as part of the proposed development with no clearing of habitat trees to occur.

“No development infrastructure or clearing is proposed to occur in this area.”

The proposal is impact assessable with residents now able to submit their feedback up until September 29.

Moreton Bay Regional councillor Mark Booth said some of the residents of the area may be excited by this proposed development and some may not be.

“I encourage them if feel strongly either way to lodge a submission,” he said.

“This is the only formal way you have the opportunity to voice (your) opinion.

“Planning officers do not take ‘Facebook Comments’ into consideration when making recommendations on development applications.”

Living Gems did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.