Living Gems Plots $210m Townsville Over-50s Resort

Family-owned developer Living Gems has submitted plans for a $210-million over-50s land-lease community in Townsville’s western growth corridor

The development application filed with the Townsville City Council would be the city’s first land-lease development in five decades.

The proposed 292-home lifestyle resort is planned for a 13.6ha site at 99 Hogarth Drive, Bohle Plains, which is within the Harris Crossing masterplanned community.

Living Gems acquired the land from Maidment Group this year. If successful, the developer intends to begin construction this year.

The proposal comprises two-bedroom and two-bedroom plus multi-purpose room homes of four configurations, as well as three-bedroom houses.

Community facilities would include a summer house and clubhouse with two swimming pools, a bowling alley, gymnasium, undercover lawn bowls, golf simulator and yoga space.

Other amenities include a workshop, alfresco dining areas, barbecues, dog run, tennis court, pickleball court and recreational vehicle parking.

Living Gems chief executive Adrian Puljich said the land-lease development would address a significant market gap.

“It’s been about 50 years since Townsville downsizers had the option of a new land-lease community, yet there’s significant and growing demand Australia-wide for this style of living as our population ages and people look for homes where they can age in place,” he said.

▲ Living Gems director Adrian Puljich.

Under the land-lease model, residents buy their homes while leasing the land. Weekly fees cover site maintenance and amenities, with no entry, exit, stamp duty or capital gains fees.

The development would be delivered in multiple stages, with the first residents expected by December 2025.

Living Gems had delivered more than 2000 land-lease homes across Queensland since it was formed in 1982, Puljich said.

The Harris Crossing site, about a 25-minute drive west of the Townsville CBD, is on flood-free land near retail and entertainment precincts, including Willows Shopping Centre and Cannon Park.

Living Gems has also revealed plans for further expansion in the region, with another 300-home development proposed for the Willowbend masterplanned community.

The Townsville development forms part of a larger expansion strategy for Living Gems’ leadership.

Puljich recently announced plans for a $500-million land lease venture called Aliria, which would operate alongside Living Gems.

The new arm has filed development applications for 1004 homes at four Queensland sites—Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and Kilcoy. Further developments are planned for NSW and Victoria.

“The new brand will deliver innovative housing choice, including boutique communities in established towns and suburbs, which is a first in the land lease sector,” Puljich said.

These developments would range from 50 to 90 homes and target infill locations.

Puljich said the Harris Crossing proposal aimed to encourage downsizing, which would ease housing supply challenges in the region.

“Meeting the existing shortfall of downsizer housing also has the flow-on benefit of opening more family housing for younger buyers, alleviating housing pressures in an undersupplied market,” Puljich said.

Nearby, Maidment Group has launched Marina Residences—its $65-million waterfront development in Townsville’s city centre.