Proposed new retirement community in Labrador

Ozcare is proposing a new retirement community at 74 Usher Avenue, Labrador, designed to provide contemporary, independent living options for older Queenslanders who want to remain connected to their community.

The proposed development will include 218 independent living units, offering a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes thoughtfully designed to support lifestyle, wellbeing and independence.

Located alongside the existing Ozcare Parkwood Gardens aged care facility, the development will create an integrated seniors living precinct that supports residents to age in place, providing peace of mind for the future while remaining in a familiar community.

About Ozcare

Caring for Queenslanders for more than 30 years

Established in 1996, Ozcare is a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and one of Queensland’s leading providers of aged care, retirement living, health and community services. For more than three decades, Ozcare has supported Queenslanders through services that enhance wellbeing, encourage independence and foster meaningful community connections.

The proposed Parkwood Gardens Retirement Living community continues this commitment by providing quality retirement living options designed to support residents to remain connected to the people, places and lifestyle they value.

Why is this needed in Labrador?

You can access the infographic with more information about the proposed development here.

Neighbourhood context and connections

Located in the heart of Labrador, the proposed community offers convenient access to healthcare, shopping, recreation, public transport and green open spaces, supporting residents to remain connected to the people, services and lifestyle they value.

Development features

A connected retirement community

The proposed development will deliver 218 independent living units across four stages, supported by a range of resident facilities designed to encourage connection, wellbeing and an active lifestyle.

Amenities will include:

• Lounge and dining spaces
• Library and games room
• Cinema and multi-purpose activities space
• Gym and wellness spaces
• Reflection space
• Swimming pool and outdoor recreation areas

Open space and community connections

The proposed community has been designed to support an active and healthy environmental corridor, creating connections between Webb Street Park, Jean Street Reserve and Parkwood Central Plaza. The pathway will improve accessibility while enhancing links between the development and the surrounding community.

Designed to respond to the site’s existing vegetation, the pathway will meander through established trees and support the ongoing rehabilitation and management of the environmental corridor.

Protecting the natural environment

The development has been carefully positioned within the site to retain significant vegetation and provide a 30-metre vegetated buffer to neighbouring

Purposeful development

The proposed retirement living community has been carefully designed to deliver high-quality accommodation while maximising open space, community amenities and landscaped areas.

Vertical living preserves green space

The development’s vertical design enables a greater dwelling yield than the site’s existing zoning while making more efficient use of land. This approach allows for the retention of generous landscaped areas, communal facilities and resident open space.

Contemporary retirement living design

The proposal incorporates best-practice retirement living principles, including accessible housing features, thoughtfully designed layouts, landscaped communal areas and wellness-focused amenities that support independence and quality of life.

Backed by experience

The development benefits from Ozcare’s extensive experience in aged care and retirement living, providing continuity of care, operational expertise and strong governance.

Integrated seniors living

Co-location with the existing Ozcare Parkwood Gardens aged care facility provides a unique opportunity for residents to remain within a familiar and connected community as their needs change over time.

45 per cent fewer daily vehicle trips

Despite providing more homes, the proposed retirement living community is expected to generate approximately 45 per cent fewer daily vehicle trips than a medium-density residential development on the site.

Traffic assessments indicate the additional traffic can be accommodated within the existing road network, including surrounding intersections.

Car parking

The proposed development will provide 351 car parking spaces, exceeding statutory parking requirements by 73 spaces.

Why is this application impact assessable?

The proposed building height exceeds the performance outcomes identified within the City Plan Building Height Overlay and Medium Density Residential Zone Code. As a result, the application is being assessed through the Gold Coast City Council’s Impact Assessment process.

Get in touch

If you have any questions regarding the proposed development, please contact Ozcare via email at communications@ozcare.org.au.