A development application has been lodged for a $110 million seniors living community at Goonellabah, in what would be one of the most significant private investments proposed in the Lismore local government area in decades.

The application, submitted over land at 805 and 811 Ballina Road, seeks approval for a purpose-built seniors housing estate comprising 200 independent living dwellings, a central community facilities building, outdoor recreation areas including courts and a swimming pool, internal roads, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

Design plans show an estate carefully laid out to respond to the natural slope of the land, stepping down from Ballina Road toward Tucki Tucki Creek. Landscaped buffers, retaining and open green spaces are proposed along the site’s boundaries to soften its integration with surrounding residential areas.

The development application describes the proposal as a seniors housing estate made up of 200 independent living dwellings, designed to operate as a land lease community rather than a traditional subdivision. Planning documents state that the homes will be “moveable dwellings,” with residents owning their homes while leasing the land beneath them, allowing the site to remain under single ownership and management.

Artists impressions from the application show a number of different dwelling options

The application notes this model is intended to provide “long-term housing security, affordability and flexibility for seniors,” while enabling the operator to manage shared facilities, infrastructure and landscaping across the estate. The layout includes a mix of dwelling sites positioned around internal roads and green spaces, with the overall design aimed at supporting ageing in place within a managed community setting.

Artists impression of the pool at the rear of the community centre.

At the centre of the proposal is a community facilities building intended to act as the social hub of the estate. Architectural plans describe shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support social interaction, with recreation facilities aimed at encouraging active ageing and everyday connection among residents.

DA plans show an extensive recreational facility

Traffic assessments submitted with the application conclude the development can be accommodated within the existing road network, noting that seniors housing typically generates lower traffic volumes than conventional residential subdivisions.

The report states the proposal “has been designed to meet the provisions of seniors housing,” with internal roads, pedestrian connections and parking layouts prioritising safety and accessibility. Primary access to the site is proposed via an extension of Callune Terrace, with a secondary access from De Re Drive to service recreational vehicle parking.

The Ballina Road proposal is located just up the road from the Ridgeview Heights development on Oliver Avenue, a 75-hectare, flood-free site earmarked for a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses. That masterplanned estate is expected to deliver hundreds of homes and support more than 4,000 ongoing jobs once complete. Together, the two projects point to a concentration of private investment in Goonellabah not seen in many years.

The development application is classed as integrated development and will be assessed by the Northern Regional Planning Panel on behalf of Lismore City Council. The application is now on public exhibition, allowing nearby residents and the wider community to review the proposal and make submissions.

With a $110 million estimated cost of works, the Ballina Road proposal stands out in a post-flood environment where large-scale private investment has been limited. For Goonellabah and the broader Lismore community, the application signals growing confidence in the region’s future and a push toward long-term housing solutions as the city continues its recovery and rebuild.