The proponent of a controversial seniors’ housing development at Kincumber says a new study reinforces the need for more communal living options on the Coast.
Currently under consideration by Central Coast Council, Choice Living Avoca would comprise 202 manufactured homes, short-term caravan sites, community buildings and amenities for over 552 on a site on Avoca Dr.
Kincumber and Picketts Valley Community Action Group (KPVCAG) has been vocal in its opposition to the proposal citing over-development, traffic congestion and loss of amenity as some of its major concerns and petitions objecting to the plan and signed by 4,600 people have been lodged.
But Choice Living Avoca Project Director, Phil Goodman, said new research by the DCM Group showed seniors looking to buy into retirement and lifestyle communities have changed their priorities following the advent of COVID-19.
“Prior to COVID, the ‘product’ or home was the most important consideration,” he said.
“The DCM research found that pre-COVID, only 2 percent of future purchasers listed loneliness as a trigger to move to seniors’ housing.
“However, now that figure has jumped to 27 percent as many people looking to buy today have different sets of values.
“In lifestyle communities the main consideration for purchasers has always been about the sense of place, a feeling of belonging, being connected to the location (land, sea, trees, nature) and being connected to neighbours.
“The Choice Living Avoca site provides an opportunity to create a truly unique community with a strong connection to the land.
“In recognition of local concerns about the perceived scale and density of the project, information seminars were conducted, and a full analysis completed on the submissions made through the application process and social media sites.”
Goodman acknowledged that the outcry around perceived over-development had led to concerns over environmental impacts, including the impact on the Avoca Lagoon’s water quality and traffic congestion.
“Today, under general agricultural practices there is little to no control on the environmental outcomes for the land, but based on my experience, a residential land lease community that does not require any further land subdivision can deliver Council the ability to apply conditions relating to the long-term management and control of the future environmental outcomes over the total site,” he said.
Goodman said Choice Living Avoca development would provide suitable accommodation for a growing and aging population, while retaining key wooded hillsides and green corridor linkages, and re-establishing watercourses to mimic natural conditions.
He also confirmed that no permanent access onto Picketts Valley Way was envisaged for the project and committed to helping with a preliminary design in support of improvements to the existing Picketts ValleyWay/Scenic Hwy intersection.
With over 80 per cent of the expressions of interest lodged to purchase being made by locals, Goodman said the project was already in high demand with residents in the area.
He said extensive and ongoing fauna and flora mapping continues to be carried out by eco-planning consultants to identify the opportunity for 8ha of bushland to be permanently preserved as a potential COSS corridor (or supplement COSS land).
Terry Collins