Retirement Village Planned for Toowoomba’s Highfields Estate

A $57.5-million retirement village would be added to a substantial greenfield development west of Brisbane under plans now before the city’s council.

Bird in Hand 3 is plotting the village for Toowoomba’s growing Highfields region, as a significant expansion of the broader Botanic Estate development.

The Botanic Retirement Village is planned for the north-west portion of Browne Road Highfields, 14km north of Toowoomba and 109km from the Queensland capital.

The estate is a 90ha masterplanned community being delivered by CW Group.

Managing director Damien Gwynne is also the principal of Bird In Hand 3 Pty Ltd—the listed developer of the retirement village project.

Under the proposal, the village would comprise 231 single-storey manufactured homes across a 10.667ha site.

The homes would be available in three types, each with two facade options. 

Each would include an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, study, laundry and double garage.

A proposed community hub would sit on a 4008sq m central lot and include a community centre with function area, kitchen and bar; cinema room; art room; lounge/games area; library; gymnasium; yoga room; meeting rooms; storage, and other amenities.

Outdoor amenities include a swimming pool and bowls green, while site facilities include a 1830sq m caravan storage lot and a 588sq m park.

Advanced water supply and wastewater management systems would ensure efficient use of resources and minimise environmental impact, the developer said, while the landscaping scheme would feature native and drought-resistant plants to support local biodiversity.

The broader Botanic Estate development offers lots from 500 to 800 square metres. The estate dedicates 42 per cent of its site to native environmental reserve, open space, and parklands, including 38ha of protected environmental reserve and koala habitat.

This development is, in turn, part of the overarching Highfields Masterplan, which guides growth in the Highfields, Meringandan, and Meringandan West areas.

Precinct Urban Planning is managing the development application, with planning consultant Paul Kelly overseeing the project.

Meanwhile, GemLife chief executive Adrian Puljich is planning a $500-million land lease community pipeline over four sites in Queensland.

Puljich has filed development applications for projects under his new over-50s brand, Aliria, totalling 1004 homes. The first development is planned for Rockhampton, followed by three other sites at Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and Kilcoy—are all anticipated to launch by late 2025.