Green light for redevelopment at historic IRT Woonona site
Key points
IRT secures approval for $122m Woonona redevelopment
- Project approved: $122m retirement living redevelopment given state sign-off
- Scale: 92 independent living units across five buildings
- Integrated design: Wellness centre, clubhouse and aged care upgrades included
- Heritage retained: Church repurposed alongside existing village assets
A $122 million plan to redevelop one of IRT’s most historic seniors housing sites has been approved by NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully.
IRT submitted the State Significant Development Application for its site in Woonona, just north of Wollongong, in July 2025 with the design by architect Calderflower, landscaping by Arcadia and coordination by Colliers Urban Planning.
The proposal was amended to include:
- five seniors housing buildings for a total of 92 Independent Living Units (originally 98):
- One building contains a Social and Wellness Centre featuring a hydrotherapy pool, gym, and allied health consulting room;
- Clubhouse with a community kitchen, bar, and library;
- Refurbishment to the existing Flametree aged care home;
- Retention and repurposing of on-site heritage church (Blue Gum Sanctuary) to provide a café and staff amenities; and
- Retention of the existing Camelia Lodge Independent Living Units.
IRT said when it lodged the plans that the redeveloped community would be known as Woonona Place.
“Woonona Place is about more than building new homes, it’s about creating a lifestyle destination where older Australians can live independently, age with confidence, and stay connected to the people and places they love,” IRT CEO Ross Gallagher said in July 2025.
“With stunning natural surrounds, high-quality architecture, and integrated wellness amenities, Woonona Place will set a new standard for what modern retirement living can look like in the Illawarra.”
