PLANS have been announced for a resort style lifestyle village to be built in Portland.
New South Wales based developers received planning approval at last week’s Glenelg Shire Council meeting for a 117 lot development on Derril Road, catering for the over 50 retiree market.
Stage one of the $23m development proposes the release of 30 one and two bedroom villas, on land parcels up to 220 square metres.
The resort villas are accompanied by a community clubhouse fitted with a pool, gymnasium, theatre and games room, plus large lounge, kitchen and amenities for on-site celebrations.
The community meeting place is neighboured by an on-site bowling green and men’s shed facilities, plus additional room for boat parking, all accommodated within the fully gated community.
The community will be overseen by an on-site manager with resort bus service to assist with connections to town and events.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said the highly sought after development would fill a “major void” in the current property market.
“I am regularly approached by local residents and visitors to the region asking when such lifestyle living will be committed to Portland,” Cr Rank said.
“Our local real estate agents are inundated by enquiries from buyers eager to buy a low maintenance property which allows them to have the lifestyle they require without the burden of up-keep.
“The luxury of this development is that retirees can have the lifestyle of a metropolitan development in a country setting.
“There is a huge demand from metropolitan buyers wanting a seachange to enjoy this style of living and we anticipate the developers will be inundated with enquiries.”
The development requires the buying of the home, which will be under $250,000 with a perpetual lease on the land.
Development manager Tony Parker said the project was expected to attract interest from across Victoria and South Australia, in addition to the local retiree market, providing significant economic benefits to the region.
“The proponents believe during construction and on completion of the estate, that short and long-term additional patronage of local service orientated businesses, tradespersons, retailers and organisations within the Portland community will have an overall positive economic impact for the city,” Mr Parker said.
“Furthermore, this escalating local patronage has the potential to contribute to the sustained vibrancy of the area through increased economic and social activity.”
Cr Rank said examples of such developments existed in South Australia, with hundreds of new property owners lured by the affordable living opportunity.
“Resort style living is now a must in a regional centre of our size,” she said.
“This development will attract a new community to our region, providing significant economic stimulus with the flow-on effect of other friends and family members being lured to visit or invest locally.
The project will proceed to the construction phase in February/March 2019.
