GemLife Reveals 226-Home South Australian Debut

Gold Coast-based over-50s lifestyle village specialist GemLife is moving into South Australia, revealing a 266-villa proposal for Strathalbyn on the edge of the scenic Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula regions.

The ASX-listed company has revealed plans to build the single-floor villas on an 11.5ha plot on Sandergrove Road that is being used as a truck depot, which would relocate.

GemLife managing director Adrian Puljich said the over-50s village would rank among the company’s mid-sized projects.

“South Australia has become a state of importance and significance for the group,” he told The Urban Developer.

“We have been patient and diligent.

“The Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills are beautiful parts of South Australia and, based on projected and actual growth, Strathalbyn is an ideal location for a [lifestyle] community.”

▲ Adrian Puljich said GemLife had been diligent in planning its expansion into South Australia.

The plan is currently before the Fleurieu Regional Assessment Panel. Public comments on the plan closed on January 21.

The village would include a two-level clubhouse with a swimming pool, two 10-pin bowling lanes, two lawn bowls greens, a bar, cinema, golf simulator, games room, and a hall with a stage.

▲ The clubhouse at GemLife’s Strathalbyn village would be at the centre of the 11.5ha site.

Puljich said a second project in South Australia, which would provide enough scale to justify establishing an SA division, is on the cards.

GemLife was founded in 2016 and listed on the ASX in July 2025 when it raised $750 million in what Puljich said was Australia’s largest initial public offering of the year after its value eclipsed that of Virgin Australia’s re-listing.

The company operates 20 lifestyle villages with more than 2000 homesites across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. New villages are planned for those states. Puljich said GemLife was considering opportunities in the Northern Territory.