First published on Gympie Today 19th February 2026

Future residents’ excitement is building as Horizon Living, Gympie’s new luxury Over 50s lifestyle resort, is taking shape.

Joining in during the ceremonial sod turning on Tuesday, 17 February, many shared in that excitement as they prepare to build the first of 158 home sites.

With earthworks already taking place over the last few weeks, the developers, alongside consultants, contractors and Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig, also shared their hopeful anticipation for the new site, especially the incoming $10m clubhouse and wellness centre being built later this year.

Horizon Living’s Bernie McGovern spoke to the guests and future residents about his passion for bringing this project to the Gympie community.

“What we pride ourselves on is integrity, pride and delivering what we pledge,” he said.

“To deliver a project of this magnitude, we wanted to use the best…”

Further explaining the highlights of the project and what it will mean to their customers.

This includes a high-quality build, including premium materials and stone benchtops, right through to the household equipment, where he highlighted European appliances as an example.

He particularly wanted to make the point to others that, with Horizon Living, he wanted residents not to have to worry about a thing and to simply relax and enjoy their new homes.

“If you’ve got a mower, throw it out,” he said.

“We’ll do that for you.

“If you’ve got Grandkids stuff taking up all your storage, tell them to come pick it up because you’re moving.”

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig mirrored Mr McGovern’s passion, saying he was glad to see a developer putting effort into the region and building something attractive that would benefit not only their customers but the region itself.

Further, he was glad to see family values and the McGovern family working together with not just their family, but local families, as customers, consultants and contractors.

“Without them taking that risk as a family, putting that money into the ground without seeing it out,” he said.

“I’m very grateful that we’ve got families doing this work.

“There’s a level of integrity and a level of intent that you don’t get when it’s just corporate.”

He said that there’s a benefit to this type of project in the region, as it gives people a space to enjoy their later years but also gives people an attractive home base to come back after their time exploring all that the region has to offer.

“It’s just great, this sort of facility being here in Gympie,” he said.d function. to welcome new residents into the growing Horizon Living community.