Retirement village plans

Proposal for huge East Coast project aimed at rural retirees

A RURAL retirement village the size of 28 international soccer pitches has been proposed for Tasmania’s East Coast.

Plans for the 18ha lifestyle retirement and healthcare village called Tempus, located 4km south of Swansea, are to be lodged with Glamorgan Spring Bay Council by the end of August.

Set among award-winning merino sheep and five-star vineyards, the plans include three levels of care — 130 one, two and three bedroom independent living units, 28 assisted living units and 42 nursing home suites, including a dementia ward.

Retirees and the wider community will be able to enjoy facilities such as a cafe, an 80seat theatre, stables, library, 20m pool, gym, children’s play area and leash-free dog parks. There will also be a regular minibus into Swansea.

The proposal is to cater for regional and rural people who want to retire in the country with their pets, including horses, and still enjoy services and facilities usually found in a city.

The village is a joint venture between the fifth generation Cotton family of East Coast property Kelvedon Estate and Australian development and management company Tempus Village Management Pty Ltd.

“It will be independent rural living with a difference — redefining retirement,” project architect John Lewis said.

“Tempus will allow them to retire into an elegant, fun, rural lifestyle. They will be able to take their pets and be in a wellsupported but low-density environment in an amazing world-class location, close to the township of Swansea, and only 90 minutes to Hobart and Launceston.”

Surplus to the farm’s requirement and unsuitable for agricultural use, the proposed site is behind Piermont Resort with magnificent views over Great Oyster Bay to the Freycinet Peninsula. The developed footprint will be 7.7ha.

“We have received widespread support and enthusiasm for the project from all quarters of the local community so far,” property owner Jack Cotton said. “Everyone can see a lot of benefits from it and ongoing employment and services.”

Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Debbie Wisby said Tempus management had taken a proactive approach and provided council with a briefing and held four community consultation days in Swansea for locals.

The project is expected to take five to seven years to build. Tempus is preparing to lodge a development application and Particular Purpose Zone application to the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

jack.paynter@news.com.au