Principle Living set to tee off retirement village at Newcastle Golf Club
May 14, 2025
A new 172-home retirement village by Principle Living, to be co-located with Newcastle Golf Club at Fern Bay, has received development consent. The exciting milestone also clears the way for much-anticipated golf course improvement works and will ensure a sustainable future for the cherished 120-year-old club.
Principle Living, a partnership between the Mann family and Stevens Group, is emerging as a major seniors living provider in the Hunter Valley region with a growing pipeline of retirement communities centred around resident quality of life and wellbeing.
The group’s Blueheath at the Bower retirement village in Port Stephens is well advanced and has just been named a finalist in the 2025 National Retirement Living Awards in the category of Best Community Development.
Principle Living Development Director Chris Old said obtaining development consent from the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel was an important milestone for the company.
“The Newcastle Golf Club village will be Principle Living’s flagship retirement community and provide premium retirement living for retirees alongside a top tier golf course,” Mr Old said. “We are very excited to be working with the club to deliver the project and create a vibrant community for our new residents, with a range of beautifully designed golf homes and units.
“Now that the necessary approvals have been obtained, we expect to introduce the project to the market shortly and start construction in mid-2027.”
Blueheath at the Bower is Principle Living’s launch village and features a strong focus on community with architecturally designed and senior-friendly homes set against the picturesque backdrop of Medowie State Forest.
The community’s clubhouse includes a lounge, dining area and bar, alfresco terrace, library nook, games area, activities room, heated indoor pool, gym and consulting room. A limited number of residences remain in the latest stage.
“By combining the development experience of Stevens Group with the extensive care background of the Mann family, we have created a refreshingly different and innovative retirement living model that truly meets the needs to today’s downsizers,” he said. “Our plans for Newcastle Golf Club and other upcoming seniors living projects in the region will further showcase Principle Living’s commitment to excellence in serving the Hunter Valley region.”