After a five-year, protracted process, Hornsby Shire Council has given Development Approval for Living Choice Galston, an upmarket retirement community planned for the semi-rural town, 36km northwest of Sydney’s CBD.

Living Choice Galston will be 40 two- and three-bedroom villas, 48 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a leisure centre.

It is Living Choice’s third village in the Hornsby & Hills Shire Council areas. Glenhaven was established in 2004, and has a long waiting list, while Living Choice Dural – which will comprise apartments only – was only announced last week.

Regional Manager, Gail Eyres, said: “If all goes according to plan, we hope to start construction in the first quarter of 2022 with the first villas ready to move into by the end of 2022.”

Stage 1 will include all the internal roads, followed by the construction of 9 villas and a leisure centre which includes 4 apartments.

Ms Ayres said the leisure centre would be “world-class”.

“It will include a Grand Foyer, large auditorium and stage, surround sound cinema, lounge, billiards area, indoor heated pool and spa, alfresco area, residents’ bar and kitchen, hair/beauty salon and gymnasium. On the first floor there will be a large library, art and craft studio and medical and wellness rooms. There will also be extensive outdoor areas, including a putting green, bocce court, BBQ area and terrace garden.”

Living Choice, founded in 1992, was acquired by Graham Hobbs and Ian Tregoning (pictured above) in December 2003. There are now 10 operating retirement villages in NSW, QLD and SA. Three further villages - Parkwood on the Gold Coast plus Dural and Galston in Sydney’s Northwest, are to be built.