New take on over-55s village planned near Perth

The Western Australian Planning Commission has received an application for a 105-lot over-55s strata village in Herne Hill, a semi-rural suburb about 25km north-east of Perth’s CBD.

Fairway Villages, which operates The Green Over 55s lifestyle village, opposite Lakelands Country Club in Gnangara, a suburb 24km north of Perth CBD, is the proponent.

The group is also planning a village at the City of Swan’s Paradise Quays aged care and independent living precinct in Ballajura, 14km north of the city business district.

Under the Fairway Villages model, residents own both their home and the land it sits on, with the title held in their name. The village operates under a strata structure, with Fairway Villages appointed as manager for an initial 10-year term, with an option to extend for a further 10 years.

“There are no hidden fees, no sinking funds, no deferred management fees or refurbishment costs, and no restrictions on when, how, or through whom you sell your home. Simply put, you buy a home, not a lease,” states Fairway Village.

Herne Hill Central will, if approved, offer:

• 105 residential lots;
• A community centre lot with lap pool, golf simulator, bowling green;
• Waste water treatment plant; and
• 43 visitor bays with parking for 34 RVs or caravans.

The 4.6 hectare site, a former farm, is next to an estate of detached houses.

Fairway Villages Chief Executive Officer Peter Burke predicted that if the project went ahead, it would be oversubscribed and said the Swan Valley was “crying out for activity”.

He said a feature of the project would be the planting of “five or six” rows of grape vines on the setbacks along the Great Northern Highway and Argyle Street.

“They’ll be looked at and serviced as a little hobby by the villagers,” he said.

Public comment on the project is open until 23 March.