Planners urged to be flexible on proposed retirement units

A KADINA real estate agent has voiced support for a $2 million proposal by a local not-for-profit organisation to build five retirement living units in the town.

Brenton Brind of Wardle Co said Copper Coast Council and PlanSA should take a flexible approach to a proposal by Kadina Community Hospital to develop five retirement living units on a vacant block in Gawler Street.

The units would be owned and maintained by KCH, as it does for its five Materne Estate units in Kadina, completed in 2024.

KCH has placed the block under contract — being sold by Wardle Co — subject to development approval.

However, KCH has been advised by a council planning officer that the proposal will not be supported, as the land is within the Township Main Street Zone.

As reported in the YP Country Times (18-11-25), KCH is preparing a submission to the Council Assessment Panel as the next step toward securing approval.

Mr Brind said the proposed units would help address growing demand for retirement units close to shops and services.

He said there were only about 30 such units in the town.

“We’re always getting inquiries for them,” he said.

“All the Materne Estate units were sold before being built.

“I can’t recall anyone ever downsizing into a unit and saying they’ve done the wrong thing. 

“In 26 years of real estate, they’ve all said it’s the best move they’ve ever made.”

Mr Brind said many older people — especially those living alone — struggled to maintain a family-sized home and garden.

“We forget about our elderly people too easily,” he said.

“I don’t want to be 80 and forced into a nursing home because I can’t get into a small unit.”

Mr Brind said the Gawler Street block is surrounded by residential properties and lies only marginally within the boundary of the Township Main Street Zone.

He said council and PlanSA should also consider that most new commercial development is occurring at the opposite end of the zone.

“If people go out and outlay half a million dollars, or a million dollars (for a commercial development), they’re going to want foot traffic, they’re going to want exposure for their money. 

“They don’t want to be parked in the middle of a residential area.”

Mr Brind said, over the past 13 years, four or five prospective buyers had shown interest in the site — but none proceeded due to difficulties in securing planning approval for proposed units.