Living Gems to build over-50s resort in Rockhampton

A virtual golf simulator, indoor bowling, pickleball court, spa and sauna and a cafe are just some of the impressive features in this sprawling 351-place development. Check it out.

Living Gems has proposed plans to council to build a 351-place lifestyle resort on Norman Rd in Parkhurst.

The long-standing Rockhampton Golf Driving Range and Mini Golf in Parkhurst could be replaced with a sprawling over-50s lifestyle resort with 351 dwellings.

Community facilities include a clubhouse with a virtual golf simulator, indoor bowling and a cafe, with a pool, spa, sauna and pickleball and tennis court outside.

Living Gem Resorts, a family owned and operated company specialising in over-50s lifestyle resorts, submitted plans to Rockhampton Regional Council in December for the retirement facility with frontage to Norman Rd and McMillan Ave.

The company was founded by Croatian-born Peter Puljich in the 1980s and has eight resorts in South East Queensland and another four greenfield sites.

The Rockhampton venture would be the company’s most northern site.

The development would be over a number of lots, over the golf driving range land and neighbouring land that is mostly vacant.

The land at 930-960 Norman Rd, Parkhurst, for which a 351-place over-50s lifestyle resort is proposed.

Living Gems purchased the neighbouring 13ha property at 930-960 Norman Rd, Parkhurst in November 2023 for $2.75m through Pat O’Driscoll from Knight Frank Rockhampton.

It had previously sold for $3.975m in 2008.

The brick home which would be demolished to make way for the development.

The site is an L-shape and has a lowset three-bedroom home on it, which is rented for $350 per week.

The golf driving range property has not been formally sold; however, it has been announced the business would be closing on January 28.

It was listed for sale in February 2022.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS

Renders by Jared Poole Design for the main clubhouse at the Rockhampton Living Gems facility.

The floor plan for the main clubhouse shows a number of facilities from a virtual golf simulator, indoor bowling, dance floor and stage, gym, games, multi-purpose room, craft room, salon, library, lounge and restaurant/cafe with kitchen and bar.

Around the clubhouse is a pool with a spa, sauna and barbecue area, and on the other side is a lawn bowls green, tennis courts, courtyard and seating for the viewing area.

This would be located at the northern end of the site on Norman Rd and is planned to be built once there are 150 dwellings.

A second clubhouse, dubbed the Summer House, is also in the plans, expected to be built at the first significant number of residents around stage three.

There would also be a dog run, and landscaping and gardens throughout.

The master plan for the Living Gems development in Parkhurst with 351 dwellings, and community facilities.

The 351 dwellings would be two-bedroom homes with a built-car garage with space for two vehicles, similar to a typical residential build.

There are three dwelling types to choose from and they would be ordered in a way that no two adjoining lots are the same dwelling type and/or facade.

There will also be a manager’s residence with a park reception/sales office.

LOT SIZES:

• 131 Standard lots: 14m x 21m
• 84 Large lots: 15m x 21m
• 71 Corner villa lots: 13.5 x 21m
• 65 Special lots

Landscaping plans for the proposed over-50s development in Parkhurst.

Layout of the dwellings and community facilities for the proposed over 50s village in Parkhurst.

Stages would be delivered in a logical order so all dwellings can be connected to infrastructure, services and internal road network.

STAGES:

• Stage 1: 93 lots
• Stage 2: 77 lots
• Stage 3: 86 lots
• Stage 4: 95 lots
• Total: 351 lots

ACCESS, INFRASTRUCTURE

The land at 930-960 Norman Rd, Parkhurst, where a 351-place over-50s lifestyle resort is proposed.

The primary entry will be at the northern end of the site on Norman Rd, with a second access point from McMillan Ave at the easternmost boundary.

The internal road network would be constructed in accordance with relevant engineering standards, with room for shuttle buses and cars with a trailer/caravan/boat and be limited to 20km/h.

There is also an area allocated for up to 40 RV car parks, and there are 100 visitor car parks throughout.

A traffic report submitted with the application estimated the development would attract 737 vehicles per day when it was at full capacity.

A 100 per cent solid privacy screen fence would be built around the development where there are neighbouring residential properties.

According to the planning report, “levels have generally been set to minimise visual impacts to the neighbouring properties and road frontages”.

The development overall would cover 73 per cent of the total site area.

THE NEED FOR MORE HOMES

The land on Norman Rd facing the southern side.

The planning report submitted with the development application states Parkhurst is an up-and-coming residential suburb of Rockhampton and it is proving to be a very popular development area for lower density residential estate.

It notes there is a land and housing crisis across Queensland, driving rental and property prices up and this development may create a solution.

The purpose-built residential park would be targeted to an older demographic, typically the over-50s age group who have seen their children move out of home, and are looking to downsize and retire.

The park would remain on one title with lease arrangements, allowing flexibility to travel and not be locked into paying off a home loan, the report states.

The development application is now before council and will be subject to a public notification period.

Originally published as Living Gems to build over-50s resort in Rockhampton