Living Gems Harris Crossing community gets green light for Townsville
Living Gems is preparing to launch a $210 million over-50s community, Living Gems Harris Crossing, with a suite of luxury amenities including a resort-style pool, bowling alley and yoga space, in Bohle Plains, after receiving approval from Townsville City Council this week (21 May 2025).
The 295-home gated lifestyle resort will be located on a 13.6-hectare parcel at 99 Hogarth Drive, within Maidment Group’s Harris Crossing community in the city’s fast-growing west.
Early works have started on site, with Townsville civil construction business, Mendi Constructions, appointed to complete the first stage of activity.
Living Gems Harris Crossing will be one of the first land lease communities for Townsville since the 1970s and is designed to meet significant demand from its ageing population.
Living Gems Director and CEO Adrian Puljich said Census data showed more than a third (34.3 percent) of Townsville’s residents were over 50, equating to about 80,000 residents.
“A lot of those people will be looking to downsize in the next few years, and right now, the options are pretty limited,” Adrian said.
“There’s nothing out there at this level – and nothing that ticks the lifestyle boxes that Living Gems Harris Crossing will.”
He said the new resort would offer a real alternative for downsizers looking to free up time, free up capital, and enjoy a better lifestyle without compromise.
“We’re expecting strong interest from across North Queensland – not just Townsville, but right down to Mackay,” he said.
Living Gems Harris Crossing will feature $16 million of exclusive resident facilities, across architect-designed lifestyle hubs – the Country Club and Summer House.
“These spaces will be the heart of the community. They’re places to meet up, make new friends and stay active, or just kick back and enjoy the good life,” Adrian said.
“We’ve built in loads of choice, so people can get involved as much or as little as they like. From a workshop and golf simulator to a dog run, RV parking, tennis and pickleball – there’s plenty going on.”
“It’s all about making it easy to stay connected and doing more of the stuff that makes life good.”
Adrian said the low-maintenance homes featured either two bedrooms or two bedrooms plus a multipurpose room and would be available in four different designs.
“They can lock and leave whenever they want, and the designs are made so they can stay in the home they love as they age.”
“As a land lease community, residents own their home and rent the land. This lowers the cost to buy and means they benefit from any capital gain if they choose to sell.
“The rent portion covers all the facilities, site maintenance and management, so there’s nothing for them to do, and there’s no entry fees, exit fees or stamp duty, which can be associated with retirement villages.”
The new lifestyle resort will complement the surrounding Harris Crossing master-planned community, popular with young buyers and families.
“This is one of the city’s fastest-growing regions and over 50s are keen to get a foothold in the area to benefit from its significant planned growth, along with the established amenities already in place including shopping, dining and entertainment,” said Adrian.
“With so many young families moving here, there’s also a desire to be close to children and grandchildren living in the area. It will complement the existing development underway and will add even more buzz to the area.”
CLICK HERE For more information on Living Gems Harris Crossing.
