The Gold Coast resort Sanctuary Cove can be home to retirement villages and residential care facilities after the State Government recently amended planning laws.

Sanctuary Cove has been governed by its own bill in the parliament and removed from council’s City Plan since it opened in 1988 which has restricted its development to houses, units, villas and resorts but not seniors’ accommodation.

State Development Minister, Cameron Dick,  introduced an economic development bill in parliament which proposes amendment of the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act to list a retirement village and residential aged care facility as potential future use at the resort.

Mr Dick said the proposed legislation amendments will provide seniors with the ability to retire in the community they know in appropriate accommodation and an ageing-friendly environment close to family and friends.

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Gary Mays said the new legislation made sense given the demand for retirement homes has been booming on the Coast’s northern end.

The amendments will not however automatically allow for retirement and residential care developments to be facilitated. An application will need to be lodged and consultation undertaken with the community and future planning would continue to be assessed by the State rather than the council.