 Australia’s first retirement village for gay, lesbian and transgender people is set to open in regional Victoria.
Featuring 120 single-storey 2/3 bedroom units, the project, Linton Estate, will be built in Ballan, in Moorabool Council, an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD.
It will be built on a 7.5ha site and will feature a tennis court, a bowling green, an open-air theatre and a multi-million dollar leisure centre which will house a swimming pool, spa, gymnasium, café, restaurant, piano room, business centre and a section dedicated to health and well-being.
The village will be serviced by a mini-bus, round-the-clock emergency system and 24-hour security. It is estimate the project will cost up to $26 million.
Managing director and major shareholder Peter Dickson (pictured) said the project will provide a haven for the older members of the gay and lesbian community.
“I put myself in the place of people. And whether we’re in a relationship or whether we’re single, we want to be surrounded by friends,” Dickson told Evolution Online.
“I want to do it different to anything that’s around.”
Dickson said the idea came 16 years ago during a dinner party with friends when he was in his early 30s. Now, aged 48, he said he was excited to see his dream finally come closer to reality.
“I’m excited. And it’s not just me, there’s been many others behind this as well. And I want our community to be proud of what we have.”
As well as ensuring there were plenty of recreational facilities to foster an active and healthy lifestyle among its resident, Dickson said that environmental sustainability was also a key factor. The project will feature grey water systems, a stormwater lake and creek, water tanks and solar heating panels.
“I have invested well and was able to bring this dream into fruition. There are a lot of lonely people out there, and older people are the history of Australia. I wanted Linton Estate to be different to other retirement facilities and this has now come about, it’s a wonderful achievement for all.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2009.
The project will be launched by Jonathan Welch at The Prince in Melbourne next week.
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