Townsville City Council has approved a planning application to allow Lincoln Place to develop an over-50s land lease community of 350 lots in the Northern Beaches.

The council has given the green light for a material change of use for a relocatable home park on land situated at 142, 152, 166,184 Svensson Rd, Mount Low, subject to conditions.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the development, to be completed over four stages, would house 350 smaller blocks and facilities like a gym, pool and community hall suitable for over-50s looking to downsize.

“We all know that regions around Australia are facing a housing crisis, and part of alleviating that issue is by making sure the older demographic have suitable housing options when, or if they choose to downsize,” Cr Greaney said.

“This development isn’t relocatable homes in the sense of the word – like homes on wheels, but rather an attractive housing option for empty nesters or those just wanting a smaller, easy to manage place to call home.

“The development is proposed to include all features typically associated with an over-50s lifestyle resort, including on-site management, communal recreational facilities and independent living within a gated community.”

“I’m pleased that as a city we’re continuing to see growth, and that as a Council we are able to approve these kinds of developments to suit the needs of our growing community.”

The planned Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate will be located adjacent to the existing Sanctum community developed by the Maidment Group.

In a land lease community such as Northern Beaches Lifestyle Estate residents purchase a modern home while leasing the land on which it sits, paying a weekly fee to the community operator, developer Luincoln Place said.

It said the land lease model offered several financial benefits: no stamp duty, no council rates or strata fees, potential eligibility for Commonwealth Rental Assistance for pensioners, and no entry or exit fees (deferred management fee). 

Divisional councillor Brodie Phillips said while the development had been approved by councillors, there were conditions the developer would have to meet.

“Townsville’s northern suburbs is a popular place to live, so as it continues to grow, we have to make sure we balance that need for more housing with the existing amenity of the area,” Cr Phillips said.

“While councillors deemed the development appropriate for the area, ticking the boxes when it came to council’s planning framework, it was important that conditions are included in the approval in relation to footpath upgrades, road upgrades and a number of stipulations around infrastructure and utilities.”