Burleigh Golf Club takes a swing at aged care residential project
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Burleigh Golf Club on the Gold Coast has signed off on a multistorey dwelling development including 177 living apartments, a large car park and a wellness centre open to members.
Australia’s fourth largest age-care business has proposed a 1.6 ha ‘vertical’ retirement village on the land adjacent to the 10th fairway which backs onto Cantala Ave, Miami.
The planned undertaking has been in the works since mid last year when members voted in favour (92%) of leasing a chunk of land to RetireAustralia in a bid to clear the club’s debt and provide a cash buffer for ongoing investment and security.
The proposed partnership would not only secure the club with an upfront lease payment for the 99-year contract, but also a rolling income stream which would improve the club’s annual profit after clearing its $100,000 interest payment. The club is supposedly in debt $2 million after an extensive clubhouse restoration almost a decade ago.
The club’s general manager Ian Cottle said he believed the club was being reasonable making the decision to lease part of the club land to ensure the club’s longevity.
“Anyone in the golf industry would know that clubs’ financial position can take a tremendous downturn due to weather conditions,” he said. ”It is a great deal for the club to get this new income which is not weather dependent.”
Cottle added that most members were generally positive and supportive of the project and some had already shown interest.
“Many of our members live in the Miami-Burleigh area and recognise that if they were to retire tomorrow, their options for quality seniors housing are limited,”
“The prospect of retiring in a contemporary, purpose-built apartment in such proximity to the course is understandably appealing.”
Upon Council approval, the New Zealand owned retirement business plans to erect three buildings of five and six levels including145 independent living apartments with 32 care apartments for residents who require in-home clinical care.
RetireAustralia’s chief executive officer Alison Quinn said the golf club’s prime location was ideal for a retirement community with more than 9500 people aged over 65 living within a five-minute drive of the club.
“…There is a critical shortage of purpose-built retirement living options in the area,” she said. “We want to enable local seniors to age in one place without having to uproot their lives and leave their existing networks of family, friends and service providers.”
Ms Quinn also assured that the project would have minimal noise and traffic impact after the announced plan upset the community last year with neighbours worrying about traffic chaos and diminished views.
The development application was lodged with Council late last month and general manager Cottle said the project could be expected to commence within a 12-month period if sanctioned.
