Thousands to retirement homes being built in Queensland town in Bundaberg

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Thousands of retirement homes are under construction in the regional Queensland town of Bundaberg. The council hopes the boom in over-fifties accommodation will help ease the housing crisis but there are concerns about the increased pressure on health and aged care sectors.

Transcript

00:00A construction boom marketed at retirees.

00:06This parcel of land just minutes from the beach

00:09is one of 18 retirement home developments

00:12given the green light by the Bundaberg Regional Council.

00:16There's quite a number of developments that have been approved for retirement living.

00:20A combined 3,600 individual dwellings

00:24with hopes the build will open up more housing for the wider population.

00:29Those people that are moving, they're vacating homes that can be for families, so that's important.

00:34Most of the dwellings are being built along the coastal suburbs,

00:38attracting downsizers and those who want a sea change.

00:42But not everyone's convinced it's all positive.

00:46No, I'm a bit old school. They're going to cut me out of my property in a box.

00:51We're very short on health specialists, so that's a problem I think for retirees.

00:57More than 40% of people living in the region are aged over 55.

01:02And with one of the highest percentages of over 65s in the country, extra supports are required.

01:09We need more hospitals, more doctors, more physios, all those other services that people need.

01:14That is something that I have been talking to developers about, building more nursing homes.

01:19We know that we need them.

01:20Bundaberg and the Wide Bay region has seen property prices more than double in the past five years.

01:27But it's still considered relatively affordable compared to South East Queensland, with a median property price of $660,000.

01:37But as more housing developments push ahead, that price growth is predicted to slow.

01:43Are you by the way?

01:46Are you with Eddie.

01:47I am, I am, very shy.

01:48Are you with Eddie.

01:50Why?

01:51Do you know all these Auftils won't choose a small corner than another?

01:56I am, very shy.

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