Sanctuary Cove will be home to retirement villages and residential care facilities after law change

An exclusive Gold Coast resort will finally be home to retirement villages and residential care facilities after a long-awaited change.

THE exclusive Gold Coast resort of Sanctuary Cove will be home to retirement villages and residential care facilities after the State Government introduced new planning laws.

State parliament has passed the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, allowing a proposal for retirement or residential aged care at the northern Coast luxury resort community to be considered.

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An aerial view of the 27th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show held on the Gold Coast in May, 2015

“Being able to stay close to home in a safe and comfortable environment surrounded by the people you love is important for residents in all communities,” State Development Minister Cameron Dick said.

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“At the time it was written in the 1980s, the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act did not

include either a retirement facility or residential care facility use, which until today prevented this type of development from being considered at the resort.

“With the passing of this legislation, we have changed that, and in doing so have changed the future of Sanctuary Cove for the better.”

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State Development Minister Cameron Dick in state parliament. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Since it opened in 1988, the exclusive community has been governed by its own bill in the parliament, removed from council’s City Plan and restricted to development which includes houses, units, villas and resorts but not aged care accommodation.

Future planning, under the new laws, would continue to be assessed by the State rather than the council.

The Bulletin understands the Government is likely to receive one application with only one suitable site currently available.

For retirement and residential care developments to be considered at Sanctuary Cove, a development application would still need to be lodged and consultation undertaken with the community, Mr Dick said.

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Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays supports the changes.

“The Palaszczuk Government supports diverse and affordable housing options, and

the ability for the community to age in place,” he said.

“This amendment is about recognising that Sanctuary Cove residents may wish to

retire close to home near their family and friends, and to live their later years in age-

appropriate accommodation being surrounded by the people they love.”

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce President Gary Mays welcomed the amendments to

the 33-year-old Sanctuary Cove Resort Act.

“We’re really lucky on the Gold Coast that we have a whole range of retirement and

aged care living options,” he said.

Broadwater MP David Crisafulli says the issue has divided the community. Photo: Genevieve Faulkner/

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“Unfortunately, Sanctuary Cove residents haven’t had access to those same choices

locally.

“I am pleased that people who’ve lived at Sanctuary Cove for decades will now have

more options to live their twilight years in the community, rather than having to move

out of the area if they wanted to transition to aged care.”

Broadwater MP David Crisafulli supports the changes but indicated applicants needed to support future infrastructure costs to support their development and body corporate costs.

“It’s been an issue that’s divided the community. Now the Act has changed, I want a commitment from the Minister that any future applications are bound by the same rules as the rest of the development including paying a fair share,” he said.