Construction Starts on 437-Home Burnett Heads

Photo: (L to R) Adrian Puljich, Mayor Helen Blackburn, and Andrew Coulter

Construction has commenced on the first stage of a new 437-home over-50s community at Burnett Heads, 17 kilometres north of Bundaberg in Queensland, helping to fill a shortage of downsizer housing in the region, which has a significant and growing older population.

The gated $323 million GemLife Lighthouse Bay is located on a 20.3-hectare site at Hermans Road, minutes from the beach, and will feature low-maintenance single-level homes, alongside $20 million of resort-style resident amenities.

Developer GemLife is also working with Bundaberg Regional Council to deliver a new $1.5 million regional pump station, and will undertake $2.3 million of upgrades to Young Street, Hermans Road and North Crossett Street.

More than 200 people will be employed to bring the new community to life.

Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn joined GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich, and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Coulter, break ground on the project on Monday, 3 November.

Over 60s outnumber under-18s in the Bundaberg Regional Council area, and are its fastest growing demographic, research shows, with 33.5 per cent of the population over 60, compared to 25.5 per cent in broader regional Queensland.

The Council’s ‘Local Housing Action Plan’ has identified the need to improve housing diversity to meet the ageing population, with 85 per cent of existing properties houses, 6.9 per cent semi-detached and the balance apartments or other housing types. 

Mayor Blackburn said development interest in the region remained high.

“We are seeing many wonderful projects moving forward in our region which are delivering more housing and essential infrastructure connections,” Mayor Blackburn said.

“It’s evidence of the continued buoyancy and growth of our economy.”

Council has approved the first phase of 124 coastal inspired homes at GemLife Lighthouse Bay, which will launch to the market next month (December 2025), priced from mid-$700,000s. Completion of the first stage is anticipated in mid-2026.

Mr Puljich said the community would appeal to active over 50s wanting to downsize their home to improve their lifestyle.

“The community is designed for relaxed coastal living, with all homes featuring an open-plan, low-maintenance layout,” he said.

“The emphasis is on lifestyle. We’ll have a resort-style Country Club and Summer House, with a suite of amenities for residents, including an indoor and outdoor pool, tenpin bowling alley, gym, cinema, dining hall, pickleball courts and RV parking.

“Our focus is on providing opportunities for over 50s to stay active, healthy and connected, and delivering a housing option that suits them now and into the future.

“We’re anticipating interest from across Bundaberg and Wide Bay-Burnett, particularly those downsizing from large family homes or rural properties who want to stay in the region they love, and seachangers attracted by the ease of living here.”

GemLife Lighthouse Bay is walking distance to shops and services, close to the coastal hamlets of Bargara and Mon Repos, and just 20 minutes from Bundaberg’s CBD.

All homes feature a modern design, with two bedrooms plus a multipurpose room, and are energy-efficient, including solar panels and heat pump hot water systems, enhancing sustainability and reducing running costs.

As a land lease community, homebuyers own their home and rent the land, with a weekly site fee covering maintenance, management and the extensive onsite amenities. No other fees are associated with the purchase or sale of homes in the community.

GemLife is one of Australia’s largest over-50s developers, with communities in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It has delivered more than 2,000 homes, with another almost 8,000 in the pipeline to be developed over the next decade.

For further information on GemLife Lighthouse Bay, please visit www.gemlife.com.au/glb