A RetireAustralia project to revitalise the historic Graceville landscape with a luxury retirement facility has met resistance from the local community and heritage authorities.
The proposal, which includes three buildings up to five storeys high, has sparked objections from over 50 residents concerned about the scale of the development and its impact on the neighbourhood’s character.
A significant point of contention is removing many trees, some potentially over a century old, to accommodate the project.
Cr Nicole Johnston’s attempt to address this issue through an urgency motion was unsuccessful, as the majority LNP administration voted against it.
Adding to the complexity, the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has raised concerns about the development’s potential impact on the cultural heritage significance of Beth Eden, the grand 140-year-old villa adjacent to the proposed site. SARA specifically highlighted the proximity and design of one new building, stating it did not adequately reflect the ornate architecture of the heritage-listed homestead.
RetireAustralia, one of the nation’s leading retirement village developers, maintains that its project aligns with council expectations and will bring much-needed contemporary retirement accommodation to Graceville. The company has also emphasised its commitment to environmental sustainability, outlining plans to revegetate gully and waterway areas and replace removed trees with new stock.
Despite RetireAustralia’s assurances, Councillor Johnston remains critical of the proposal, stating that it is “too big and does not integrate well with the character and amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood”. The community’s concerns and SARA’s reservations highlight the challenges developers face in balancing the need for new housing with preserving local heritage and environmental values.
As the project progresses, RetireAustralia will be required to address the issues raised by SARA and the community, demonstrating how it plans to mitigate the development’s impact on the surrounding environment and heritage structures. The outcome of this process will shape the future of this significant Graceville site and set a precedent for future developments in the area.
Published Date 15-August-2024
