GMAQ NEWS
AURA SUBMITS PLAN FOR A $ 115M GOLD COAST RETIREMENT VILLAGE AT PARKWOOD INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPERS have submitted plans for a $ 115 million retirement village to address a looming shortage of aged care on the Gold Coast .
Retirement village operator Aura hopes to build a six-storey , 233-apartment retirement village called The Arbour at Parkwood International Golf Club , on a corner of the club ’ s land fronting Napper Rd .
Aura would lease the retirement village land from the golf club , and residents would become mandatory club members , paying fees through their body corporate levies .
The golf club had planned to build a 210-room resort on the western side of the Napper Rd site , but have now applied to move it closer to the clubhouse , creating space for the proposed retirement village .
Parkwood International managing director Luke Altschwager said the proposal would enhance the master plan of Parkwood Village , which is also home to the Gold Coast Titans headquarters , training pool , gym , medical centres , golf club-house , restaurants , function areas , putt-putt , golf simulators and a trampoline centre .
“ The retirement village residents will be in walking distance , or if preferred , a short golf buggy ride from all the benefits Parkwood Village offers ,” he said .
Aura director Tim Russell said the project would help keep the golf course financially sustainable .
“ The lease payments to Parkwood will ensure the ongoing sustainability of the golf course which will be a major attraction to prospective residents of the retirement village and will preserve the golf course outlook enjoyed by the retirement village forever ,” he said .
“ A critical element of the deal with Parkwood was to ensure the golf course use was maintained for the term of the lease and sufficient operating income was earned by the golf course operator to keep the course in pristine condition .
“ Few , if any , retirement villages in Australia will enjoy similar views and have such easy access to great amenity .”
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