$300m plan to put Gladstone back on the map

GREY NOMADS on their lap of the nation will soon have a reason to spend time in the mid-north Queensland community of Gladstone.

Gladstone, Queensland. Picture: Discover Queensland

GREY NOMADS on their lap of the nation will soon have a reason to spend more time in the mid-north Queensland community of Gladstone.

A $300 million resort featuring an RV-friendly village and Graham Marsh-designed golf course has been proposed by four Gladstone locals, the Mann brothers.

The over-50s resort will be built on a parcel of land, near Benaraby south of Gladstone, on the Bruce Hwy.

The same family and developers are also involved in a proposal for a 24-hour service station and light-industrial precinct across the road from the resort.

While the project is still in its early days, the Mann brothers and developers received positive feedback from the council during a pre-lodgement meeting this week.

The project includes 210 RV-friendly homes and 350 units in a resort-styled retirement village. Project manager Jason Sullivan said the resort would lure people from around Australia with its unique variety of village and RV-friendly options.

Golf course designer Graham Marsh, left, company director Jonathan Mann, project manager Jason Sullivan and company director Michael Mann with plans for the Station Creek Lifestyle Resort. Picture: Jon Ortlieb

“This is an opportunity to not only retain senior members of the Gladstone community but to attract over 50s to the area,” Mr Sullivan said.

It will also have the retirement living necessary luxuries including a swimming pool, bowling green and tennis courts. He said a major draw card would be its 18-hole golf course, designed by golfing great Graham Marsh.

The $300 million development is hoped to be the key to invigorating retirement living options in the Gladstone region.

One of the project directors Jonathan Mann said they witnessed seniors leaving the Gladstone region to Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Yeppoon in search of retirement options.

“We’re offering something different to Gladstone by focusing on the active retirees,” Mr Mann said. “We’re not trying to compete with any other retirement developments.”

The site of the proposed $300m resort and golf course. Picture: Jon Ortlieb

Mr Mann said retirement villages designed for the over 50s who still enjoy to travel was a growing trend in Australia.

“Gladstone doesn’t have anything like this ... and the region is crying out for more retirement services,” he said.

“You have your villages out there but this is focused for retirees but really focused on lifestyle that’s what sets it apart,” he said.

“This will have a real sense of community.”

The family plans to submit a development application with the Gladstone Regional Council in the coming months. It’s hoped they will receive necessary approvals by the end of the year.

For more information, or to register your interest for updates visit stationcreekresort.com.au.

Originally published as $300m plan to put Gladstone back on the map