Marina Proposal
A new proposal could see a 120-place childcare centre, a medical centre and 11 dwellings built near Port Lincoln’s marina.
Planning approval has been sought by property developer Luxo Projects to build the development on 6000 square metres of land on the corner of Stamford Terrace and Marina Drive, where the former Lincoln Cove development office is located.
Luxo Projects director Ric Hambrook said Port Lincoln was chosen for the development “as we were aware of the shortage for childcare, housing
and medical, specifically in the marina area”.
“The project will bring much needed childcare spaces for children 0-5 years old as well as rental housing, which there is a lack of in Port Lincoln,” Mr Hambrook said.
Port Lincoln mayor Diana Mislov said there was a “very real and pressing need” for childcare services in Port Lincoln and the southern Eyre Peninsula, as highlighted in the Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula’s 2023 study into Early Education and Care.
“This report highlighted the need for an 89-place centre in Port Lincoln, and another 190 places combined in Tumby Bay and Lower Eyre,” she said.
The project would be undertaken in two stages, with stage one including a 716 square-metre childcare centre, four two-storey townhouses and 34 car parking spaces.
The news comes just weeks after Port Lincoln City Council released an expression of interest for the potential construction of a 100-place childcare centre on council land located behind the leisure centre.
Ms Mislov said it was “quite conceivable” that Port Lincoln could comfortably accommodate two 100-place centres within its boundaries.
Stage two would see a 397 square-metre medical centre consisting of a general practice with nine consulting rooms and four tenancies for allied health services added to the development, along with 96 car parking spaces.
Seven single-storey homes would be constructed as part of the stage two plans, and all 11 dwellings would be built on the south-western side of the land, with the childcare centre on the northern corner and the medical centre on the north-eastern side.
The entrance/exits to the development would be constructed on Stamford Terrace between the Marina Drive and Follett Street intersections and on Marina Drive between the intersection with Wingard Terrace and Laguna Drive.
Ms Mislov added the proposed development was welcome news for Port Lincoln. “After years of families struggling to find adequate care in the region, and unable to work, study
or enjoy some respite as a result, the interest and progress into childcare services in our city is a very welcome development and will have positive flow on effects in economic growth and family wellbeing.”
She added the plan including 11 dwellings would be “most welcome given the housing shortage Port Lincoln has been experiencing for some years and the medical centre is the icing on the cake”.
“With our ageing population and distance from health services, having a new medical centre with allied health services is wonderful for Port Lincoln and we welcome these much-needed developments to our city,” Ms Mislov said.
