The Port Stephens region is set to receive a new gold class over 55s community, as Ingenia celebrated the official start of its new master planned community with the turning of the first sod.

Set on 29.2 hectares and located in the leafy suburb of Anna Bay, Ingenia’s new community will deliver 229 new homes and a $5 million clubhouse for over 55s which is anticipated to include a pool, library, lawn bowls green, cinema, gym and sports bar.

Ingenia CEO Simon Owen said many seniors were unaware there were alternative housing solutions available to them.

“The Ingenia Lifestyle model is unique in that buyers purchase a new, architecturally-designed home and lease, rather than own, the land,” Mr Owen said.

“This eliminates the requirement to pay stamp duty, ensuring a much more affordable entry price point and freeing up a substantial amount of equity raised in the sale of their previous home.”

Construction onsite has started with the first stage of homes and the community facilities due to be complete for residents by mid-2018.

Project Sales Manager Sheree Richardson said those looking to downsize needed to pre-register their interest for exclusive VIP opportunities with the first stage expected to sell out before it was complete.

“The First Choice Club registration is a fully refundable $1,500 deposit, with home designs and home sites released exclusively to our VIPs before the general public,” Ms Richardson said.

“There has been a very strong demand from over 55s in the area who have been looking to downsize into our unique land lease communities.”

The new lifestyle-oriented community adds to the Group’s strong portfolio of established communities which employs more than 50 people in the NSW Central Coast and Newcastle region alone.

Further demonstrating its confidence in the local market, an approximate $7 million civil works contract has been awarded to local Newcastle company Robson Civil Projects, who will deliver the new community in Port Stephens – creating more than 60 jobs for people across the duration of the civil works.