This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
UNITING’S $300 million seniors housing development in Charleston has been given the go ahead to deliver 120 residential aged care beds to a former TAFE campus.
Located at the former Charleston TAFE on Tiral Street, the development will include four buildings, ranging from 5-14 storeys, with more than 200 independent living units and a residential aged care home with the 120 beds.
The development by one of Australia’s largest for purpose, not profit, organisations, will mark the first time the NSW Government has granted State Significant Development Approval (SSDA) for a seniors’ living proposal under its new Housing State Environmental Planning Policy.
“The demand for retirement living options is increasing rapidly. Almost one in three people in the Lake Macquarie region is aged over 55, and the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase by almost 30 per cent over the next 20 years,” said Simon Furness, director of property and housing at Uniting.
“Recognising the demand and ongoing need for quality retirement living options, Uniting is steadfast in our plans to double the number of independent living units over the next 10 years to around 6,000, primarily driven by building new retirement villages.”
The development will also include community facilities for socialising, a hair salon, pool, clubhouse, landscaped rooftop with BBQ area, outdoor seating and dining, cafe, walking paths, landscaped grounds and gardens and a chapel/multi faith space.
Residents will also benefit from plans for visiting rooms for GPs and allied health practitioners and a wellness centre.
“It’s close to existing services, shops and transport, it addresses our growing need for new housing, and it will be a driver of employment for many years to come,” said Kay Fraser, mayor of Lake Macquarie.
“Uniting’s development is also just a few blocks from the new $30 million medical centre under construction on Smith Street, and two minutes from the health precinct expanding around Lake Macquarie Private Hospital.”
The project is estimated to support 600 jobs during the construction period and another 150 jobs upon completion.
Work on the tender process will commence in early 2024, with Uniting targeting the appointment of a builder by late 2024 and construction anticipated to commence in early 202
