The West Australian – Kim Macdonald
A popular model for community living proves a winner
The growing appeal of land lease communities — set to grow 165 per cent over the next decade — has been highlighted as a key provider takes out the top gong in the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) awards.
Providence Lifestyle group won the seniors living award, as well as the night’s highest honour, the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence.
The emerging LLC model of living separates the ownership of the home from the land it occupies. It allows residents to own their home while leasing the land, making them eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
There are currently 4000 households in local LLCs, which is typically a gated community with shared amenity, catering mainly to seniors.
But recent research from UDIA WA tips another 6631 homes could be added across 20 LLCs in the project pipeline of six main operators in WA over the next decade.
UDIA WA chief executive Tanya Steinbeck noted the strong sense of community at LLCs, with many from the Piara Waters estate attending the awards night to celebrate the win.
“With an ageing population and more people looking for secure, low-maintenance lifestyle options, Piara Waters is an exemplar of outstanding quality in design and delivery,” she said.
The master-planned community includes 244 architecturally designed homes with solar panels and battery storage, and amenities such as a cinema, swimming pools, dog park, lawn bowls and multiple recreation zones.
UDIA has called on the State Government to support a wider rollout of the LLC model, which can deliver homes in less than 26 weeks, compared with more than 45 weeks for a typical single-storey property.
However, Ms Steinbeck said it can be difficult to navigate the LLC approvals process in WA, with a disconnect between the legislation and planning. She called for the retention of both Acts, which enable the model — the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995, and through planning approvals under the Residential Parks (Long-Stay Tenants) Act 2006 — as well as a Statewide adoption of LLCs as a permissible land use.
“It is vital we retain both pathways for flexibility, but we need a stronger link between the legislation and planning to get more of these communities on the ground,” she said. “LLCs are not just about affordability, they’re about offering real choice and a sense of community to support an active, ageing population, which is something more West Australians are demanding.”