Contentious GemLife over-50s housing estate proposal for Ballina still in limbo

A prominent developer and a North Coast council continue to butt heads over controversial plans for a $74 million over-50s housing estate in an area prone to flooding.

The site of the proposed seniors’ housing estate at Ballina on the North Coast.

The flood-prone site of a planned controversial $74 million over-50s housing estate with 150 units at West Ballina is in line to be rezoned from residential to conservation land.

Ballina Shire Council has voted unanimously to submit a rezoning planning proposal to the Department of Planning and Environment for finalisation.

The GemLife estate pitched by developer GTH Resorts would be built on a River St and Burns Point Ferry Rd site.

The largest land-lease operator in the country continues to push ahead after knock backs from the council and the Land and Environment Court.

Burns Point Ferry Road residents have long raised concerns about the project. Some are pictured here back in 2020.

The over-50s lifestyle resort would include about 150 units.

Residents living adjacent to the site were evacuated from homes during the 2022 floods.

Ballina councillor Kiri Dicker said at a meeting this week the onus should be on developers to propose ecologically sustainable projects.

“The onus should not be on communities and councils to defend themselves using ratepayers money,” she said.

“The CEO of GemLife, (Adrian Puljich) has sat in this council chamber and said on record that he will continue to sue us until this development gets through.”

GemLife has been contacted for comment.

The council’s general manager said GemLife already cost ratepayers $600,000 and would cost more if the stoush continued.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader also took aim at the proposed estate.

“We’re dealing with a parcel of land that is inappropriate for development and it is appropriate for a C zone (conservation zone) to be placed over that land,” she said.

Burns Point Ferry Rd resident Marilyn Chaseling said council pushing to rezone the land sent a “very strong message” to the court about the project.

Concerns raised about the site include the impact on roads in the area, height, the impact on residents in the area, as well as the flooding and environmental issues.

Some Ballina residents have been opposing the development since it first came before the council in 2020.

A video by resident Jim Britton shows the site after a storm in July 2019.

The site is home to threatened species, including the collared kingfisher and black-necked stork.