Developers of a proposed $100 million retirement village for people aged over 55 in Harrington are hosting a public meeting on Monday, November 5, 6pm at the Harrington Waters Community Centre opposite the library.
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Harrington company, Bayline Homes and Developments is proposing a housing estate comprising up to 292 lots on Manor Road, Harrington.
As the proposed development is on land zoned ‘fringing urban’, the development application is controlled by the State government as well as local council DCPs (development control plans) and LEPs (local environment plans) as part of the DA process.
“It’s currently on the JRPP’s register. I would say at this point in time council will start discussing the development with them once the exhibition period closes on November 9,” Danny Bayly, director of Bayline Homes and Developments said.
The developers say they will offer block sizes from 350 square metres to 450 square metres, depending on what the client wants. The client buys the land, then chooses a house from 12 different designs (currently) with customisable options.
Come and ask us questions so we can remove any concerns people might have.
- Danny Bayly
“What we don’t want, which is typical of developments you see in the past, is three designs with the same coloured roof and it looks like a detention centre,” Mr Bayly said.
“I want to see vibrancy, mixed design, I want to see different sized housing blocks which generates interest in the street - different roof pitches and heights.”
The proposed development centres around a ‘clubhouse’ or recreation centre, and a small shopping complex.
Included in the clubhouse will be a ballroom/dancing area, indoor and outdoor seating areas, a commercial kitchen, a bar, a couple of saunas, an indoor heated therapy pool possibly with a spa, a gymnasium, and meeting rooms. There will also be an 80 seat cinema with a stage for performances.
A 14 studio apartment block will be available for visitors of residents to stay at a cost.
Mr Bayly has asked Pastor David Freeman to ‘host’ the meeting on Monday night.
“I wanted someone impartial just in case some people aren’t considerate of others,” he said.
“I can understand why a lot of developers don’t like to consult the community; I understand why councils don’t like to consult the community because sometimes it just becomes a bit of a bagathon.
- Danny Bayly
“We asked council whether they would like to hold a public meeting for the town. Given the size of it I think it is important that the community is engaged. Council’s position was that it wasn’t needed.
“I can understand why a lot of developers don’t like to consult the community; I understand why councils don’t like to consult the community because sometimes it just becomes a bit of a bagathon.
“Whether we get for and against on the night, we want to run this information night because we want to know what our market, what our clients are looking for. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback but we appreciate the public concern. And given some of the concerns that I’ve seen posted on Facebook I think the best thing we can do is clarify a lot of those. I think it’s important that we remove some of that hearsay,” Mr Bayly said.
“There’s going to be a video display as well as a bit of 3D modelling of the development, because it is difficult for people to really get a grasp of the development when you’re looking at a black and white plan which is scaled down to 1 to 500.
“More importantly, come and ask us questions so we can remove any concerns people might have. We’re very much open to comment and feedback from people.”
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