Cairns real estate: Kewarra retirement villa development plan
A quiet Cairns suburb is attracting plenty of interest from a Melbourne-based consortium eager to transform it into the Far North’s retirement capital.
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A NORTHERN beaches suburb could soon be the Far North’s retirement mecca with a proposal for 64 units not far from a 75-bed aged care facility.
Melbourne based Kewarra Lifestyles Pty Ltd says it already has 28 retirement villas at Kewarra Beach Resort and it is seeking to build a further 43 units on an adjacent 15.6ha block of bushland it owns.
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The development, which would be next to the Kenfrost residential development now under way at Cottlesloe Drive, involves building detached single storey two-bedroom villas with corrugated roofing and lightweight timber cladding on external walls.
“The retirement facility will also include its own existing sales office, staff parking and community facilities,” the development application states, adding the driveway will be widened for two-way traffic.
The aim is to retain a ‘smaller scale resort’ over the balance of the site, with residents able to use resort facilities.
The directors of Kewarra Lifestyles are listed as Melbourne residents Dieter Blaich, an architect who has specialised in aged care, Lindsay Bender and Aaron Hewitt.
“The proposal is not a new concept and benefits from approvals that date back to 2011,” the report notes.
Approval for 34 units lapsed in September 2019 and the new application sought a new format ‘more in keeping with the current market expectations for seniors living’.
The report says there are permanent dwellings on the western side of the resort now, which cater for seniors living with its own community centre.
It is considering having the resort kitchen provide meals to residents.
The Kewarra Retirement Village website says all existing villas are airconditioned and have an emergency assistance call system which is monitored 24/7.
The resort has a website - kewarraservicedapartments.com.au – offering ‘a new concept for over 55 living’ with a resort within walking distance of the retirement village.
“Residents have a choice of one or two bedroom villas which are set amongst the rainforest with stunning views over the gardens brimming with wildlife,” the website states.
“Future plans for the retirement village will include new two bedroom, and one and two bathroom villas, single and double garages and private courtyards overlooking tropical rainforest and gardens.
“Recently built close to Kewarra Retirement Village is the Kewarra Aged Care. This allows residents to remain within familiar surroundings as their care requirements progress.”
Kewarra Aged Care opened in August 2017 after gaining council approval in early 2016.
In 2014, sale of the Kewarra Resort by former dotcom entrepreneur Sean Howard to Chinese investor Benny Wu fell through, and plans for the retirement village, aged care facility and residential estate were revived.
Mr Howard did sell Double Island to Mr Wu.
The developer has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as Cairns real estate: Kewarra retirement villa development plan
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