PLANS for a new multi-million dollar seniors living development on Stanley Street have been lodged with Bathurst Regional Council.
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The proposal includes 55 two and three-bedroom villas, plus a community centre with a games room, full kitchen, library, computer facilities and an all-weather bowling green.
Oak Tree Group directors Mark Bindon and Franco De Pasquale were in Bathurst yesterday to look over the land which has been earmarked for the development.
The land was sold to the company by Bruce Bolam in conjunction with Hilton Bonham and Gary Sloane.
Mr Bolam said procuring the land for the villas was a real group effort and would not have been possible without everyone’s co-operation. He said it is a very important development for the city due to a lack of accommodation for seniors.
“It will be a great asset to have in Bathurst,” Mr Bolam said.
If it goes ahead, the development is expected to cost between $13 and $14 million.
This will not only boost the local economy but will result in work for local tradesmen during its construction. In addition, the gardeners, maintenance staff and manager will all be local.
Mr Bindon said Bathurst has been on the company’s radar for the past 10 years, but it has been really hard to find the right land.
“It was by sheer chance that we met Bruce outside the council offices,” he said. “We told him what we needed and now here we are.”
Mr Bindon said Stanley Street is the perfect spot for a seniors development because of its proximity to the shops and the hospital.
These two factors are very important to seniors when choosing where they want to live.
Mr Bindon likes the area so much he is keen to create a second development here.
“Bathurst is hopelessly undersupplied,” he said.
“We want people to be able to stay here when they retire.”
Mr Bindon said he believes the development will be the ideal size. In fact, all their seniors developments have between 50 and 80 villas.
“We don’t do big villages. The one that was proposed for Eglinton had 240 villas – we think that is too many.”
A lot of thought has also gone into the design of the villas with extra wide doorways, no steps and no trip hazards. The design will be open plan, and energy efficiency will be a focus.
Thirty per cent of the total village will be three-bedroom units and the remainder two bedroom. They will be priced at between $320,000 and $350,000.
Mr Bindon said the development will have a lot of appeal for older residents.
“Maintenance will be taken care of, and for single people it will offer security and companionship,” he said.
The DA will be on public exhibition until September 8. If council approves the development, Mr Bindon said they will start construction before Christmas.