Emmerton Park aged care home CEO Ian Adams has lodged a development application to build a retirement village on land next door at Smithton, a town on the far north-west coast of Tasmania.
The proposal before Circular Head Council shows plans to build 15 duplex dwellings on a 1.84ha vacant block adjacent to the aged care facility. Each dwelling would hold two units, which would be designed as affordable, independent living for retired people, aged over 55 years.
“We want them to have a community feel,” he said.
“We’ll be putting in an outdoor section, maybe a bowling green ... we want to build that sense of village living.”
He said the company had bought the block from the Council last year, and managed to secure Federal Government money to build about 12 of the 30 units. The original $8 million quotation is now $10 million due to escalating building costs.
The development is in addition to extending the aged care facility.
“We’re running at 100% occupancy and we have a bit of an overwhelming waiting list," he said.
"Given the need we thought we better do something.”
