We are excited to share plans for a new retirement living community on the Gold Coast, designed to provide older Queenslanders with more housing choices and the opportunity to age in place in a connected, supportive community.

We have lodged plans with the City of Gold Coast to expand our Parkwood Gardens site in Labrador.

The proposal includes the development of a contemporary retirement community for people aged over 65 on a 3.7-hectare vacant site located immediately south of our existing Parkwood Gardens aged care facility.

Across Queensland, we successfully operate co-located retirement living and aged care communities in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay and North Queensland. These communities provide residents with the option to remain within the same community as their needs change, reducing the stress often associated with relocating later in life.

The proposed development would feature 218 apartments and create more than 150 full-time jobs during construction. It would also help address housing pressures across the Gold Coast by providing more opportunities for retirees to rightsize, freeing up housing stock for younger families.

The development application has been designed to deliver contemporary, vertical housing options within a landscape-rich setting that complements the surrounding environment.

Since opening 16 years ago, Parkwood Gardens has embraced its natural surroundings. Our proposed retirement community continues this approach through a centralised design that protects and enhances mature vegetation and local fauna. Plans include a 30-metre buffer along the southern and eastern boundaries, and the Queensland Government has issued a new Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV) as part of the development application process.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Mercer, said the organisation was pleased to lodge the development application for Council consideration.

“Ozcare has had a long association with the Gold Coast, with four aged care facilities supporting around 534 residents while providing more than 600 jobs for community members.”

“We are committed to expanding high-quality retirement living. Our vision is for modern, connected living where residents enjoy independence, security, wellbeing and a genuine sense of belonging.”

“A retirement community would bring another dimension to the wider Parkwood Gardens site and enable Ozcare to provide co-located living that has proven highly successful in other parts of Queensland.”

“This project will provide options for Gold Coast retirees wanting to rightsize, while helping to free up housing for younger families seeking housing opportunities in the city.”

“Our team is committed to fostering genuine relationships and creating a strong sense of community and belonging for our future residents,” Mr Mercer said.