$188M retirement village bets on three-bedroom demand

A second amendment report for the proposed Tumbi Umbi Retirement Village has been lodged with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure by Urbis on behalf of Pariter and Mingara Recreation Club.

The State Significant Development Application, lodged in November 2024, proposed a precinct of 219 independent living units and 39 high-care suites, adjacent to the Club on the NSW Central Coast, including:

• 13 two-storey villa buildings, housing four independent living units in each;
• A six-storey and two five-storey independent living unit buildings; and
• Six levels of high care suites, independent living units and communal facilities including a café, residential lounge, multifunction spaces, consultation/therapy rooms, and staff/admin areas.

Now after community consultation and submissions, the proposal has been updated with the number of independent living units reduced by four. However, the mix of unit types has been shifted in favour of larger apartments.

Originally, 58% of the 219 units were two-bedrooms and 42% three-bedrooms. Now 55% of the units are three-bedrooms with 45% two-bedrooms.

Three-bedroom apartments are becoming more common in retirement village developments as operators seek to appeal to over-55s downsizing from large family homes.

The Department will now assess whether the amended plans adequately respond to submissions before determining whether the State Significant Development should proceed.