Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate paves the way for property downsizing in NQ

A proposed 350-house estate could play a key role in tackling Townsville’s housing crisis by helping older residents to downsize. See where it would be built.

Leighton Smith

@LeightonESmith

3 min read

October 31, 2024 - 12:03PM

Townsville Bulletin

Lincoln Place executive director Ben Hindmarsh was looking forward to delivering the 350-home Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate to help Townsville's older residents to downsize. Pictures: Supplied.

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A massive housing project proposed for Townsville’s north is on the verge of tackling the region’s housing crisis head on, by enabling the city’s older residents to downsize and free up housing stock.

NQ consulting firm Brazier Motti lodged a development application with Townsville City Council in September, on behalf of Australian developer Lincoln Place, to develop and manage Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate.

Proposed to be built along Svensson Rd, adjacent to the Maidment Group’s existing Sanctum community at Mount Low, the 350-home estate could become Townsville’s first premium over 50s land lease community.

Worth an estimated $495 million, the project would be delivered in four stages, with plans to break ground on Stage 1 in April 2025, provided it received the green light.

Lincoln Place owns and operates 23 land lease communities nationwide, where residents purchase a modern home while leasing the land on which it sits, paying a weekly fee to the community operator.

Staging in the masterplan for the Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate in Mount Low. Picture: Map Architects.

Lincoln Place executive director Ben Hindmarsh said the land lease model offered several financial benefits including no stamp duty, no council rates or strata fees, potential eligibility for Commonwealth Rental Assistance for pensioners, no entry or exit fees (deferred management fee), with residents receiving 100 per cent of capital gains when their home is sold.

“What we have is the production of homes that allow people to move out of their three, four, or five bedroom homes with however many vacant bedrooms … into our community,” Mr Hindmarsh said.

Lincoln Place executive director Ben Hindmarsh. Picture: Supplied.

“The homes are cheaper than you’re selling your family home for, more than you’re buying in this estate, so you’re freeing up capital to enjoy and do what you like.

“They are freeing up existing housing stock to move into an attractive option that did not exist in the Townsville market before (and) this keeps those people retiring and downsizing … in the Townsville catchment, close to family and friends.”

Render of the entrance to Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate. Picture: Lincoln Place.

Render of the street frontage for Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate. Picture: Lincoln Place.

He said the gated community’s first stage would deliver 75 residential sites and a range of resort-style amenities in its clubhouse, including a library, theatre, dining, kitchen, bar, lounge, and outdoor dining barbecue areas.

To encourage an active lifestyle, the estate would also have a gym, swimming pool, bowling green, pickleball courts and walking paths, while future stages would deliver a sports pavilion, golf driving nets, community garden, RV storage, another pool, and wellness studio.

Render showing the pickleball courts at the Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate. Picture: Lincoln Place.

Render showing the pool planned for the Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate. Picture: Lincoln Place.

Future residents would be able to choose from several home designs to match their needs.

While Lincoln Place’s development application was for a “relocatable home park”, Mr Hindmarsh said the smaller-sized properties would sit on slabs and appear no different to any other houses, but were able to be relocated if desired.

The project has commenced its public notification phase, which runs until November 11.

Opposing submissions have been received from two Sanctum Estate residents, saying the project would detract from the area’s “aesthetic and ambience”, devalue property prices, and undermine growth and development.

Render showing the lounge inside the Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate clubhouse. Picture: Lincoln Place.

Render showing the outdoor dining area of the Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate clubhouse. Picture: Lincoln Place.

A Townsville City Council spokesman said the project would be considered by the council once technical assessments and consultation had concluded.

“While this application is in the assessment phase and needs to be considered on its planning merits, it is considered that development of this kind, where it is well located and designed, can be an important contributor to housing affordability and availability in Townsville,” the spokesman said.

Example of a potential house design for Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate. Picture: Lincoln Place.

“It can provide a relatively flexible and cost-effective housing option, whilst also providing a safe and friendly community environment for residents.

“Importantly, it can also accommodate downsizers and ageing in place, freeing up some existing housing stock for families or for small-scale infill redevelopment, increasing total housing supply.”

For more information, visit: www.lincolnplace.com.au.