Cove to welcome aged care

THE exclusive Gold Coast resort of Sanctuary Cove can be home to retirement villages and residential care facilities after the State Government amended planning laws.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick in Parliament yesterday introduced an economic development bill which includes planning changes which directly impact on the gated community.

Since it opened in 1988, Sanctuary Cove has been governed by its own bill in the Parliament, removed from council’s City Plan and restricted to development which includes houses, units, villas and resorts but does not include aged care accommodation.

Mr Dick told Parliament: “The Bill proposes amendment of the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act to list a retirement village and residential care facility as potential future use at the resort.

The proposed amendments will help Sanctuary Cove residents retire close to friends and family.

“Being able to stay close to home, surrounded by the people in an environment you love, is important for residents in all communities as they enter their later years.”

Mr Dick said the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act, at the time it was written, did not include either a ‘retirement facility’ or ‘residential care facility’ use.

“This means that this type of development cannot currently occur at Sanctuary Cove Resort. These amendments will change that,” he said.

“Importantly, the amendments will not automatically allow for retirement and residential care developments to be facilitated, rather an application will need to be lodged and consultation undertaken with the community.”

Future planning would continue to be assessed by the State rather than the council.

“Ageing in place is about providing our seniors with the ability to retire in the community they know in appropriate accommodation and an ageing-friendly environment,” Mr Dick said.

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Gary Mays said the new legislation made sense given the demand for retirement homes.

“You only need to look at the success of the ones up here (in the north of the city),” he said.

“From a developer’s point of view it make perfect sense. If you have the dollars and want to live at Sanctuary Cove, it makes even more sense.”