Sunshine Coast Council has given preliminary approval for the development of a new retirement village on Tanawha Tourist Drive at the 3.11 hectare site of the former ‘Superbee’ tourist attraction. Statutory and Regional Planning Portfolio Cr Russell Green said more than 12 months of co-operation between council and the developers had enabled the proposed facility to progress.
“The application for this proposed facility was originally recommended for refusal but was deferred by council in October 2010 pending further investigation into issues relating to waterways and frontages, building height and scale, need and conflict with the planning scheme,” he said.
“Since council determined to defer the decision, the applicant and council officers have undertaken numerous discussions in an attempt to resolve the issues.
“In the 15 months that have elapsed since the original application, council has adopted the Positive Ageing Strategy and the Affordable Living Strategy and this modified proposal now supports the majority of guiding principles for these strategies.”
Cr Green said the proposed facility would enable aging residents to remain in their local communities.
“Locals who’ve lived in Forest Glen, Mons, Tanawha and Chevallum won’t have to relocate in order to have access to a retirement village which will be terrific for their social wellbeing,” he said.
“Council’s recently adopted Positive Ageing Strategy 2011 – 2016 and the Affordable Living Strategy 2010 – 2020 both identify the need for residential and aged care options for the region’s elderly and to increase levels of aged care accommodation to Federal benchmark standards.”
While a proposal for a retirement village at nearby Forest Glen was recently approved by council, various needs analyses have indicated there will still be demand for additional retirement housing stock in the area. The proposed retirement village at Tanawha will provide those additional dwellings and an alternative housing and village style choice.
The applicant has also proposed that a dedicated community bus will be provided for the residents. Another application for Material Change of Use will be required for the proposed development to establish the final design details of the development.