Four out of four: Uniting gets go-ahead on $200M intergenerational health precinct plan
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) approved Uniting NSW.ACT’s Belrose seniors housing development, 19km northeast of Sydney’s CBD, last Friday (6 February).
The decision represents the fourth Significant Development Application (SSDA) (over $30 million capital expenditure) approval for the Not For Profit.
Uniting NSW.ACT already has approval to redevelop Uniting Kingscliff in the NSW Northern Rivers; the $500M Waverley Estate, its biggest project; and the first SSDA for seniors housing approved, Uniting Charlestown, 10km southwest of Newcastle’s CBD.
Uniting’s Wesley Gardens residential aged care home in Belrose has been in operation for 50 years.
The approved $200 million redevelopment will deliver an intergenerational health and wellness precinct comprising retirement living, residential aged care, early learning and specialist services for seniors, including dementia support, according to the operator.
Developed by Uniting NSW.ACT, Colliers Urban Planning and Plus Architecture, the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the 4.84 hectare site will deliver 147 independent living apartments and 120 residential aged care places across six buildings of up to five storeys in height, including a central care hub.
Northern Beaches Council had opposed the development on the grounds of height, bulk and scale, urban design, parking, stormwater and amenity.
Uniting NSW.ACT Director of Property and Housing, Simon Furness, thanked the Northern Beaches community for their input into the proposal.
“Continuing our long history in Belrose, the Uniting Wesley Gardens redevelopment represents a new benchmark for integrated seniors living which offers choice, privacy, security and independence in one place,” Simon said.
Uniting’s onsite early learning centre, The Forest Preschool, the Belrose Uniting Church, and a dwelling on the site will remain unchanged.
Belrose approval supports NSW Govt push for seniors housing
Simon said the SSDA approval aligns with the NSW Government’s priorities to expand seniors housing and strengthen community facilities through integrated housing and support services that enable residents to stay close to familiar connections.
“Our village hub comprises two large outdoor recreation areas, designed to create spontaneous opportunities for connection and a wide range of uses from gatherings to exercise activities,” he said.
“Shared community amenities include a pool, café, gym, library, hairdressing salon, clubhouse, café, cinema, Men’s Shed and chapel, as well as spacious landscaped gardens, a forest walk and yarning circle, outdoor rooms, and rooftop courtyards.
“There will also be a suite of medical and allied health consulting rooms to support residents’ needs.
“Our team will now move forward through detailed design and is aiming to complete the design for a construction tender later this year. There will be a staged construction approach, and we’ll continue to support our existing residents, their families, and our employees throughout the building work.”
