Elimbah Archives - Caboolture Today

GemLife to Build $428m Over-50s Resort in Elimbah

A new $428 million over-50s lifestyle resort has been approved in Elimbah, with GemLife set to develop 404 homes on a 26-hectare site in Moreton Bay.

Major Lifestyle Development Planned for Elimbah

A large-scale over-50s community is set to take shape in Elimbah, following development approval for GemLife Elimbah, a $428 million lifestyle resort backed by Thakral Corporation Ltd’s Australian associate, GemLife.

Context: Third GemLife Project in Moreton Bay

The Elimbah development marks the third GemLife resort within the Moreton Bay region, joining previous projects at Bribie Island and Moreton Bay. The 26-hectare site at 38 Atherton Road will deliver 404 homes, each featuring two bedrooms and a multipurpose room. The site sits nine kilometres north of Caboolture, near the Glass House Mountains and D’Aguilar Ranges.

Previous developments by the company include the $349 million GemLife Bribie Island, released in 2016, and the $340 million GemLife Moreton Bay, launched in 2023. Together, the three sites will bring GemLife’s total footprint in the region to more than 1,350 homes.

GemLife Caboolture — *Photo Credit: DA/2022/4064*

Development Details and Facilities

The Elimbah resort will include 8.2 hectares of green space. It is the part of the area designated as a conservation zone. This area borders an existing natural reserve. The homes will be built to a 7-star energy-efficient design and include features such as indoor-outdoor living, landscaped front gardens, European kitchen appliances, ducted air-conditioning, and integrated solar systems linked to a virtual power plant.

The resort will also include $20 million worth of resident facilities. These include a two-level Country Club with a ballroom, virtual golf, wellness room, and a Summer House with a resort-style pool. Additional amenities will feature a bar, crafts studio, commercial kitchen, library, cinema, and multiple sports and recreation areas.

Caboolture development — *Photo Credit: DA/2022/4064*

Location and Market Appeal

GemLife anticipates demand from downsizers across Moreton Bay, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast. The site’s proximity to retail, healthcare, and transport services, along with access to the Bruce Highway, positions it as a connected yet semi-rural living option.

Data shows nearly 40 per cent of Elimbah’s population is aged over 50. The development is targeting this demographic with a land lease model, where residents own their homes and lease the land. There are no entry or exit fees. Residents retain any capital gains on resale.

GemLife Project — *Photo Credit: DA/2022/4064*

Project Timeline and Completion

The project received formal approval from Moreton Bay Regional Council. Construction and the release of stage one homes are expected to begin mid-2025, with the project to be delivered in seven stages.

Published 15-Apr-2025

Photo Credit: GemLife

Elimbah Community Wins Fight Against Highway Development

Elimbah residents have successfully stopped a plan to route the Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 4 through their community, marking a significant victory for local homeowners.

The announcement came on Friday, 20 December 2024, when officials confirmed that the controversial corridor options for the highway between Beerburrum and Moodlu had been permanently ruled out.

The decision follows a year-long campaign by the Elimbah community, which cited concerns about property loss, environmental impacts, and lifestyle changes.

Community Efforts Force a Change

The fight began in December 2023, when the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) shocked residents by proposing two routes that cut through the heart of Elimbah. Hundreds of locals quickly mobilised, launching petitions, organising public meetings, and submitting over 850 pieces of feedback.

Their efforts gained traction, prompting initial investigations into alternative routes earlier this year.

Key campaigners highlighted the community’s determination to protect their homes and the surrounding environment. Residents raised issues such as cultural heritage, natural preservation, and the impact on the local way of life. By May 2024, the TMR acknowledged these concerns and began exploring corridor options further west.

New Direction Confirmed

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg stated that they listened to community feedback and ruled out the original routes. Investigations into a new alignment are expected to conclude in early 2025.

Officials emphasised the importance of balancing infrastructure development with the needs of established communities and Elimbah’s projected urban growth. In their statement, officials noted that 70 per cent of public submissions centred on concerns about property impacts and suggestions for alternative routes.

Many proposed utilising existing roadways to minimise disruptions. Moving forward, the project aims to improve regional connections while easing congestion across South East Queensland.

Residents Call for Accountability

While the announcement was met with celebration, some Elimbah residents remain cautious. Community leaders have called for continued transparency, swift communication of updates, and fair compensation for any future property acquisitions. Others expressed scepticism about the involvement of certain contractors in future planning, underscoring the need for careful oversight.

The new alignment for Stage 4 is part of a broader effort to support the region’s long-term growth under the South East Queensland Regional Plan. Elimbah’s expanded urban footprint is set to accommodate significant residential and employment developments over the next 25 years.

Further updates are expected in early 2025, and residents are encouraged to stay engaged with the project team for developments.

Published 26-Dec-2024

Over 800 Submissions Prompt Review of Bruce Highway Western Alternative Through Elimbah

A comprehensive review of community feedback on the proposed route for Stage Four of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative through Elimbah is now underway.

The consultation, which drew to a close on 9 February 2024, spotlighted the community’s active participation, with more than 800 submissions received, marking a significant phase in the project’s planning process.

The consultation period was initiated after TMR released detailed plans in December 2023, outlining two potential routes for the BHWA through Elimbah to Moodlu.

This announcement spurred a robust campaign from the residents of Elimbah, who rallied for a route that would circumvent the town, favouring paths through state forests or farmland to minimise the impact on the local community.

The community’s efforts included a petition that amassed over 10,000 signatures, numerous packed community meetings, and direct engagements with local councillors, state members, and ministers.

These actions underscore the residents’ strong desire to influence the route’s final selection, emphasising the importance of preserving the town’s integrity.

In response to the consultation’s closure, TMR has indicated that early feedback highlights a preference for a corridor option that lies further west of Elimbah township. This alternative aims to lessen the impact on residential properties and reduce community division.

The BHWA project, intended to span 50km as a dual motorway from Beerburrum to Bald Hills and passing through Moodlu, Morina, and the western side of Morayfield and Narangba, has already seen the route and land for its first two stages identified and secured.

Meanwhile, after months of grassroots campaigning and gathering nearly 11,000 signatures, community members concerned about the potential resumption of their homes for the Bruce Highway Alternative Route have secured a crucial meeting with State Transport Minister Bart Mellish on 23 February 2024.

The focus of the discussions will be on urging TMR to reconsider the proposed routes to minimise community impact and prioritise sustainable public transport and upgrades to existing infrastructure over new highway constructions.

Jason Smith, one of the lead petitioners against the TMR project, said the upcoming meeting as just the beginning of a prolonged effort to ensure a route selection that addresses long-term issues without disproportionately affecting the community.

As the government and TMR mull over the community’s submissions, with a response expected within four weeks, the collective effort of East Caboolture, Moodlu, and Elimbah residents stands as a significant movement towards achieving a more considerate and less intrusive highway development plan.

Published 23-February-2024

Bruce Highway Western Alternative: Elimbah Residents Unite in Battle to Save Homes and Community

Over a thousand residents of Elimbah are facing an uphill battle to preserve their homes and cherished way of life following the unveiling of two options for a Bruce Highway Western Alternative, a development that could spell disaster for this tight-knit community.

Option 1 proposes the construction of the Stage 4 path of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative, which would run west of the North Coast rail line. Option 2, on the other hand, suggests an eastern route adjacent to the rail line.

Unfortunately, both options loom ominously for the residents of Elimbah, who fear the imminent resumption of hundreds of properties.

In response to a letter received on 1 Dec 2023, warning of the potential impact on their properties, homeowner Jason Smith leaped into action. In less than two weeks, he initiated an E-Petition, formed a Facebook group, and held a Community Town Hall meeting with fellow landowners.

Their resounding message: whilst the community recognises the need for a Western Alternative to the Bruce Highway, it should not come at the grave expense of their homes and properties.

Bruce Highway Caboolture-Bribie Island Road — Photo Credit: TMR

A Personal Struggle for Homeowners

For many residents like Rod Brady, who has called Elimbah home for 24 years, the prospect of losing their beloved homes is a heart-wrenching reality.

Tanya Balashova, a resident for five years, faces an uncertain future as well. Although her property may not be directly impacted, any option chosen will disrupt her way of life. The years of effort and love invested in her property cannot easily be replaced.

Scott Moore, who moved into his Elimbah home at the start of the Covid pandemic, will see half of his backyard disappear under either option, replacing a peaceful view with the sight and sound of a highway.

Cara Macpherson, who has only lived in her “dream home” for over a year, faces a similar fate. She and her partner had sold their previous homes to build a future for their family. The thought of starting anew, if forced to leave, is a daunting prospect.

Gilda Cowell, a resident of over 70 years, worries about the potential impact on the local flora and fauna. Her property is designated as a Land for Wildlife site, and any alteration to the area could disrupt the delicate balance of wallum frogs, grey kangaroos, and bird species that inhabit the region.

Even the local economy stands to suffer. James Francis, a pineapple farmer in Elimbah who supplies fruit Australia-wide, could see his farm divided in half, rendering continued business operations unsustainable. He employs more than 20 individuals, highlighting the ripple effect of this proposed development.

The Bruce Highway Western Alternative

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) defends the new transport corridor, describing it as a “long-term alternative to the Bruce Highway” aimed at addressing traffic congestion over time.

According to a TMR spokesman, the project promises improved travel time, reliability, access, connectivity, safety, and travel options for both existing and emerging communities. The TMR remains committed to minimising property impacts and pledges to engage with potentially affected property owners to understand their unique circumstances. As of now, no property impacts for Stage 4 have been confirmed, with resumptions only considered if construction becomes imminent.

The Bruce Highway Western Alternative is a long-term planning endeavour, and specific timelines for planning, design, and construction remain uncertain, contingent on government priorities and future funding commitments.

Eligible residents have until 9 Feb 2024 to submit their feedback on the TMR website, providing them with a valuable opportunity to influence the outcome of this critical decision that could forever change the landscape of Elimbah.

Published 2-Jan-2024