WITH one in three Redland Bay residents now aged over 55, the region is emerging as a focal point in a national shift towards community-oriented, purpose-built living.
New research from Stockland has found that over-50s communities are helping Australians live happier, healthier and more connected lives – a trend now shaping the future for more than 50,000 local downsizers.
Interest is already surging at Stockland’s Halcyon Bayside, which attracted more than 1000 enquiries and sold 70 per cent of its first 26 homes within the first week of its September launch.
Affordability, accessibility and lifestyle remain key factors driving demand.
As the region grows, older Australians are also reporting higher levels of loneliness, with nearly one in five feeling lonely some or most of the time.
It’s a reminder that connection matters just as much as convenience, and that thoughtfully designed communities can play a vital role in improving quality of life.
Halcyon Bayside is one such example, where design and social connection are helping reshape wellbeing in later life.
According to Stockland’s 2025 Liveability and Wellbeing Survey, Halcyon homeowners report a Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) of 84.7 – 11.6 points above the national average for Australians aged 55 and over.
Wellbeing expert Dr Darren Morton, author of Live More Happy, says higher PWI scores often reflect lower loneliness and a greater sense of belonging.
For many Australians over 50, loneliness can arise from boredom, inactivity or feeling weighed down by life’s challenges.
The survey highlights the powerful role that community, environment and design can play in helping people not only live longer but live better.
It’s a sentiment echoed by local resident Shirley Moffat – one of Halcyon Bayside’s earliest buyers and a current resident of Halcyon Greens – who says a strong sense of connection is central to her decision to move.
These factors, Stockland Project Director Glenn Nugent says, can be directly shaped through thoughtful design and genuine social connection.
Construction at Halcyon Bayside is scheduled to begin soon.
