Linton Estate still on track

Planning changes and the  economic downturn have slowed progress on Australia’s first  GLBT -œretirement haven, Linton Estate.
But developer Peter Dickson says the $26 million project is still going ahead.
-œI wish I was there now -” but who banked on the downturn and that sort of thing happening? he said.
-œIt is exciting. We’ll get there -” I’ve learnt to be more patient than I am normally.
-œAfter the floorplans are designed properly to my specifications, it then goes back to council for approval. Then hopefully the world finances are in a better frame of mind.
Launched in July last year, Linton Estate is being billed as a gay, lesbian and transgender-friendly country retirement project. To be built in Ballan, the village would contain 120 residential units.
Plans to build the project were first lodged with the Moorabool Shire Council in 2007 and approved last year. However floorplan changes have seen the plans resubmitted for further approval.
Dickson said he was in discussions with two banks and two building companies interested in taking on the project.
He said the reason for the plan changes were to ensure they were perfect before being publicly released.
-œIt’s all about giving people a lifestyle, because you are buying into a lifestyle, he said.
To date, more than 150 people have expressed interest in the retirement village, with Dickson confident more than 50 of those would result in a sale.
-œWe will get there and we will beat the other states, he said.
The planning amendments are expected to go before the council in the next two months.