Seniors Living Plan for 1.6ha Slice of Brisbane Golf Course

Queensland-based Aura Holdings has lodged plans to take another retirement living divot out of a golf course.

The latest play by its founders, former RetireAustralia duo Tim Russell and Mark Taylor, involves a 1.6ha slice of McLeod Country Golf Club at Mount Ommaney in Brisbane’s western growth corridor.

The 18-hole course is one of only a few golf clubs in the world governed entirely by female members.

It was established in 1968 as an all-women’s club and remained so until late 2019, when the club’s constitution was changed to allow men to become full members.

Under the proposal by Aura Holdings, a cluster of four buildings—ranging from two to five storeys and comprising 126 independent living apartments—would be developed over two stages.

The development site is in the north-western corner of the golf course with frontage to Tekapo Street.

According to a planning report, the proposal has been “strategically designed to integrate into the existing streetscape character and community, whilst ensuring minimal disruption to the existing club operations”.

Changes would be limited to two holes and relocation of the existing maintenance facility.

The 14th hole would be shortened and the 12th hole lengthened to accommodate the development and to maintain the club’s 71 par men’s and 74 par women’s championship course.

Aura Holdings has secured the land within the golf course at 61 Gertrude McLeod Crescent through a leasehold arrangement with the club, providing it with much-needed capital for clubhouse and course improvements as well as a long-term income stream.

The retirement living operator’s latest proposal follows its 168-apartment Somerset development at the inner-west Indooroopilly Golf Course and its 79-unit The Ninth at Middle Ridge project on the Darling Downs at Toowoomba Golf Club.

The submitted report said the buildings in its Mount Ommaney proposal would accommodate a variety of apartment types including low-rise villas as well as standard and penthouse apartments.

“The high-quality, considered design of the overall development results in an outcome which blends in with the surrounding development and lessens impacts on the surrounding residents as much as practicable,” it said.

Two, three and four-bedroom configurations are planned to cater for an array of physical capabilities, living styles and preferences.

The retirement village scheme has been designed by Marchese Partners around a central courtyard and garden space to “foster a community atmosphere” and includes resident amenities.

“The proposal will cater to Brisbane’s ageing population, particularly those who are seeking independent living but do not require full-time care and have a desire to remain independent,” the report said.

“The development will also contribute towards addressing the current housing shortage by allowing older community members to vacate their existing residences but remain ‘in place’ within their neighbourhood, allowing their existing homes to be occupied by other members of the community.”