HomeRetirement Living

Retirement Living

Division Head For Retirement Living - Christian Southward

Stevens Group is a partner in Principle Living, who are leaders in award-winning retirement property development and seniors’ support. Principle Living’s visionary thinking and deep experience brings a suite of vibrant, connected communities. We offer beautiful homes designed for seniors and a lifestyle that allows our clients to realise their retirement dreams.

A few locations of our commitment to Retirement Living include:

Blueheath at The Bower

Blueheath is a thriving retirement community, proudly recognised as a 2025 finalist in the UDIA and Property Council awards.

Here, quality, community, and contemporary living come together through years of careful crafting and refinement. With the final stage now under construction, this is your last opportunity to secure a brand-new home and be part of this established community.

Learn more

The Apperly Newcastle Golf Club

The Apperly is a premier retirement community, coming soon to the award-winning Newcastle Golf Course in Fern Bay. 

Set alongside the rolling golf greens and bordered by established greenery, the community will offer a curated range of independent living villas and apartments, along with exclusive architecturally designed amenities, to foster a golf-front lifestyle that’s second to none.

Learn more

Featured projects

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The Hermitage Hunter Valley

  • Hunter
  • Retirement
  • Ongoing
The Hermitage, a place where life feels a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. Nestled in the heart of the Hunter, this over 55s community blends country charm with a friendly, social spirit. Mornings start with walks through open green spaces, afternoons are made for a chat over a drink, and weekends tend to roll into evenings shared with good mates and music.

The Darcy Rutherford

  • Hunter
  • Retirement
  • Ongoing
The Darcy is a new retirement village, located within the esteemed Heritage Parc residential estate, Rutherford NSW. Delivering on all the trademarks of quality retirement living, The Darcy will offer high-quality, modern homes, designed for liveability and style, within a secure, gated community close to established parks, waterways and local amenity.
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Committed To Excellence Since 1982

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+61 2 4363 3351
[email protected]

Suite 6, 257-259 Central Coast Highway, Erina, NSW Australia

PO Box 3171, Erina, NSW Australia

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Cadet Project Manager

Charlie Hunter

Charlie joined the Stevens Land team in late 2025 as a Cadet Development Manager, working closely with the acquisitions team to help source, assess, and deliver new project opportunities. He attended the University of Oregon in the United States, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. Before transitioning into property development, Charlie spent over six years as a professional Nike athlete, bringing a strong work ethic, discipline, and team-focused mindset to his role at Stevens Land.

Development Director

Paul Cutting

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Development Director

James Goode

James has over 25 years’ experience in the property development industry and has worked on numerous Masterplanned Residential Communities in the Hunter, New England and Northern Rivers Regions. A qualified Land Surveyor, James’s role includes the ongoing management and delivery of Stevens Group’s Residential Land projects plus the acquisition, approvals and delivery of any future projects that may arise.

Retirement Living

Christian Southward

Christian Southward leads the Retirement Living division and has a background in property development, finance, and technology. An experienced commercial executive, he is responsible for managing the retirement living assets within the Group. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds an MBA, a Master of IT (Business Analytics), a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a CPA.

Hospitality

Brad Kennedy

Brad leads the Hospitality Team and is a qualified CPA accredited accountant, having gained tertiary qualifications in Accounting and Law from the University of Western Sydney and an MBA from Deakin University. He is responsible for overseeing all Hospitality functions within the organisation. Brad brings 21 years’ worth of Hospitality experience to the Group.

Memorial Parks & Services

Michelle Turner

Michelle Turner serves as the General Manager of the Palmdale Group, bringing a wealth of expertise in business process management and financial operations. ​ Her industry expertise spans sectors such as radiology, construction, maritime services, and financial services. ​

Michelle joined the Stevens Group in 2009, initially working at the Head Office before transitioning to the Vintage Group. ​ In 2012, she joined the Palmdale Group as Financial Controller, where her leadership and financial acumen proved invaluable. ​ In July 2020, Michelle was appointed General Manager, a role in which she continues to drive operational excellence and strategic growth for the organization.

Marketing and Communications

Kim Waterhouse

Kim’s experience in the Marketing and Communications industry has spanned over 20 years. Primarily working in Hotels, Tourism and Brand Agencies both within Australia and Overseas, her specialty areas focus on Digital Marketing and Innovative Brand Identity. She has worked in senior management roles for some of the world’s leading hotels; including Leading Hotels of the World, Mirvac Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hayman Island Resort and the Golden Door Resorts and Spas. With a degree in Marketing and in Communications, Kim believes the key to success is that we must stay ahead of our client’s needs and discover what they want before they do.

Land Sales Manager

Wendy Eschler

Wendy is an experienced Marketing and Sales Manager and specializes in residential land subdivisions. She is dedicated to assisting buyers when securing residential land by utilising her detailed knowledge and experience in assessing the slope, orientation, and aspect of each block to help take advantage of the best design solutions possible. Wendy offers her clients expert design advice for their new home, based on over 23 years’ experience working with quality residential subdivision designs.

Finance Manager

Darren Nichols

Darren comes with a history of banking experience and expertise. He started his career working with a major Bank and after 15 years working in the Banking sector, specialising in property finance, Darren joined Stevens Group. With Darren’s experience in the Banking sector comes an invaluable insight into funding arrangements and structuring when discussing projects with prospective financers.

Assistant to Brett Harrod

Kellie Batton

Kellie Batton joined the Stevens Group in 2024 bringing with her over 20 years experience working in the professional services field supporting top level executives. Kellie’s expertise includes comprehensive administrative management, effective communication, strategic planning, building strong teams to enhance executive efficiency and organisational success. Kellie is looking forward to working with Stevens Group to make a positive impact with all stakeholders and her colleagues.

Cadet Project Manager

Henry Parker

Henry commenced with the Stevens Group as a Cadet Project Manager supporting our major projects team in the delivery of the Stevens Group’s subdivision developments.  He is currently studying a Bachelor of Construction Management at the University of Newcastle and will be graduating in 2026.  Henry is working alongside experienced industry professionals to help him develop his skills while continuing his studies and starting a career in the construction industry.

Project Manager

Charlie Grange

Charlie’s role as a Project Manager focuses on helping with the delivery of jobs in many of our commercial projects. With a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and 5 years hands on experience in the construction industry, he is well equipped to be part of the Stevens Group team. Charlie takes pride in his work ethic and attention to detail, he is excited to expand his expertise in all areas of the development industry.

Junior Project Manager

Eliza Giles

Eliza joined the Stevens Group in 2021 as a Cadet, gaining experience in subdivision developments. In her current role as a Junior Project Manager, she assists the development team with the coordination and delivery of multiple projects including Childcare Centres, Industrial Units, Commercial and Residential developments.

Eliza graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2023 with a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours). Eliza prides herself on attention to detail and maintaining a highly organised and professional approach in her work. She is dedicated to progressively expanding her knowledge and expertise across all aspects of Stevens Group developments.

Senior Project Manager

Corbin Bond

Corbin’s role as a Senior Project Manager focuses on the delivery of many of our commercial projects including major fuel and fast-food retailers. Corbin provides a high-level of expertise in project management and client-side construction management to deliver exceptional results. His experience stems from a background in the QSR system delivering over 30 projects in this space as a Client-Side Project Manager and Superintendent in Sydney, Greater Sydney and regional NSW.

Corbin’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Construction Management and a Masters of Project Management in the Build Environment from the University of Newcastle.

Development Manager - Real Estate

Josh Harrod

Since joining the Stevens Group in 2015, Josh has been involved in a number of our landmark commercial, industrial and residential developments. His role as a Development Manager primarily focuses on site identification and acquisitions as well as managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Josh is a member of the Australian Property Institute and is passionate about continuing his professional development.

Project Manager

Morgan Petherbridge

Morgan is a Project Manager with a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. With nearly 10 years’ experience in the construction industry, she has worked closely with project stakeholders to successfully deliver projects across a range of construction sectors, including residential subdivisions, tourism, education, industrial, multi-residential and commercial developments. Managing numerous multi-residential projects contributes to her detail orientated management style. She takes pride in the full life cycle of projects with the Stevens Group.

Development Director

Jason Crannage

With over 15 years in the property and construction industry, Jason’s knowledge and in-depth level of experience is widespread. His expertise spans high-end residential, mixed-use and greenfield subdivision projects. Jason’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Business and Commerce – Property from the University of Western Sydney.

At Stevens Group, Jason’s day-to-day focus is maintaining strong and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of every development.

Development Manager

Mackenzie Stevens

Mackenzie is a key member of the Stevens Group development team, bringing nearly a decade of experience in property development.  Since joining in 2016, he has played an integral role in the acquisition, management and delivery of a diverse range of projects.  He has experience working across all asset classes, successfully managing projects in residential, commercial, industrial, and hospitality sectors.

Mackenzie is committed to delivering high-quality projects that align with the company’s vision and contribute to long-term growth and market success of the Stevens Group.

Chief Financial Officer

Emma Sharp

Emma works closely with the development team providing group cashflows and insightful reporting to enable business decisions. As a qualified ACCA Accredited Accountant with over a decade of team management experience, Emma is responsible for group consolidation of financials and supporting the Finance and Operations Director in overseeing the group’s finance teams.

Having previously worked for two of Australia’s largest commercial real estate groups, Emma has gained a passion for continuous improvement taking the lead on information system and process improvements.

Senior Development Manager

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson is a qualified Civil Engineer with tertiary qualifications from the University of Queensland with over 20 years’ experience in the engineering and building industry. Ben is responsible for the management and delivery of projects including overseeing the Stevens Group hallmark site The Vintage in the Hunter Valley.

Ben brings his technical understanding and experience, as well as his hardworking and meticulous approach to all aspects of his role with the Stevens Group.

Planning Services Manager

Lin Armstrong

Lin is a qualified town planner and holds the key position of Manager for Planning Services within the Group. Lin has over 25 years experience in both the public and private sectors having held senior positions in both Local and State Government. In her role with Stevens Group, she is responsible for taking projects from inception through to construction and negotiating the raft of approvals required in property development.

Lin’s knowledge of the NSW planning approval process and legislation allows her to respond to the varying demands of regulatory authorities with expertise and professionalism. Lin is highly regarded within the planning industry and is a corporate member of the NSW UDIA.

Property Director

Jason Capuano

Jason has worked with the Stevens Group since 2011 and as a director and shareholder in the Stevens Property Group since 2021. His key role as Development Director is managing the business operations, which includes project acquisition, sales and leasing and delivery of projects on budget and within program.

Jason has vast experience in all development sectors which the property group participates including convenience retail, large format retail, highway service centres, childcare centres and residential apartment buildings.  A highlight being the successful award-winning Foreshore Lake Macquarie project at Toronto completed in 2021, among many other outstanding projects.

Jason manages our key client relationships with national and multi-national retail partners and our network of agents, consultants and builders that help us achieve our network growth and delivery plan.

Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Janine Jeffery

Janine is responsible for providing a high level executive support to John Stevens, the Chairman and Founder of Stevens Group, as well as Michael O’Brien, the CEO. Her extensive experience, dedication and commitment enable her to adapt to a fast paced work environment with professionalism and accuracy.

Having worked for the Stevens Group for over 20 years, Janine is highly regarded among her colleagues and clients and is the heart of the Stevens Group team.

Chief Executive Officer

Michael O'Brien

Michael leads the Stevens Group as CEO and is a qualified CPA accredited Accountant, having gained tertiary qualifications in Financial Administration, Accounting and Finance from the University of New England. He is responsible for overseeing all functions of the organisation, from marketing, development projects, financials and forecasting for the Stevens Group’s diverse range of assets and brands.

With a wealth of experience in the field of finance within the building, hospitality, real estate, construction and funeral services industries, Michael’s leadership combined with his considered approach, is credited to the group’s success.

Founder and Chairman

John Stevens

John is the Founder and Chairman of the Stevens Group and the driving force behind the success of over 300 development projects to date.

John’s passion to embrace the industry, has seen him grow the company to specialise in projects across the commercial, retail, residential, childcare and retirement living sectors. With over 44 years at the helm, his passion and natural intuition for this industry are still as focused today, as it was in the beginning. He unites an experienced senior level management team, to strategically drive the company’s objectives in design, delivery and quality standards, to not only meet expectations but exceed them.

John is fully immersed in all of the Stevens Group projects. John’s proven track record of bringing concepts for developments to life, has resulted in a number of National and State Awards being delivered to his projects including the Vintage Residential Golf Course Project, Glengara Retirement Village, Forresters Beach Retirement Village, National AHA Award for Headlands Hotel at Austinmer, and the 2021 Urban Development Institute of NSW for Excellence in NSW Regional & ACT Development category for Foreshore Lake Macquarie at Toronto.

John is a previous long standing board member of Hunter Valley Wine Tourism Association in the Hunter Valley and is also the long-term President of the Terrigal Trojan Rugby Club on the NSW Central Coast.

Property

Brett Harrod

Brett is responsible for the strategic direction, performance and commercial outcomes of the property group’s development projects. His focus is to continue to enhance business culture in the group through the continuous improvement of systems and ongoing development of our look, feel and act culture.

Brett is active in the entire development space from acquisition and management of new development projects, as well as overseeing his developments through to delivery. Having been engaged in the property development industry for over 47 years, Brett brings a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to each project.

He has developed commercial, residential, retail, childcare and industrial property projects. Brett started his career in real estate agency practice owning and managing four real estate offices in Western Sydney.

Brett’s industry knowledge, relationships with key industry leaders and experience is instrumental when it comes to delivering the best possible outcomes for Stevens Group.