Narooma: Gated retirement community pinned for coastal town

A south coast town could soon see a $24m gated retirement community constructed if major plans are approved by a regional council.

Plans for the $24m Narooma retirement village.

A gated community for over 50s could be constructed in a small south coast hamlet, if multimillion-dollar plans from a mega retirement village developer are given the tick of approval.

The development application for the $24m gated village has been lodged with the Eurobodalla Council, with the plans suggesting the 12.55-hectare development could be constructed at 27 Old Hwy and 77 Old Hwy, Narooma.

Broadlands own the land at Narooma and submitted the development application to council – which currently sits on public exhibition – with the NSW-based developers owning and operating four other gated retirement villages around the state at Tamworth, Muswellbrook, Harrington and Green Point.

The development for Narooma would be the fifth for the company and, if approved, will be constructed in two phases.

Phase one would see 122 dwellings constructed in the east, before phase two would see the remaining 78 dwellings constructed in the west.

The plans include a clubhouse, wellness centre and more.

A spokesman for Broadlands said the development would operate as a land lease community, aimed at residents over 50 who would have an option of five types of homes to be built.

He said the designs ranged in size, but that all would include garages and covered deck areas.

Artist impression of the clubhouse.

“They will range in size from 202 to 487 sqm, with the average size being 250 sqm,” the spokesman said.

“Typically, they will have two or two-and-a-half bedrooms and single or double car garages.”

Documents tendered to the application also showcase a communal clubhouse, featuring a non-commercial kitchen, library, hall, games room and cinema.

A wellness centre is also proposed as part of the gated community, featuring a 20-metre swimming pool, gym and sauna.

Property owners will be able to pick from five house designs.

Property owners will be able to pick from five house designs.

Property owners will be able to pick from five house designs.

“We will also have pickle ball court, barbecue area and bowling green,” the spokesman said.

However, documents reveal the facilities will be exclusive to community residents.

The spokesman said the community would provide the perfect opportunity for retirees and elderly people to downsize, while moving to a small coastal community.

It would also ease the burden for smaller, retiree housing on the NSW south coast, an issue which Coastal Property Group Merimbula real estate agent, Tammy Carroll, said was prevalent.

“I come across a lot of people who are semi-retired, looking to fully retire, but they have to move interstate because there’s really nowhere for them to downsize into senior unit style housing on the south coast,” she said.

Artist impression of the clubhouse.

“I know a lot of elderly people in the area who go on waiting lists to get into the few senior housing areas we have because there just isn’t enough, which is why they move.”

Plans for the $24m retirement village will remain on public exhibition until August 1.

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