The application would see 24 serviced apartments at its 35-year-old Glenaeon retirement village in Belrose demolished to make way for four new buildings with 60 units, along with a new two-storey, 102-bed aged care facility to be operated by Catholic Healthcare.
The village operator had wanted to redevelop the 273-unit village back in 2016, but its plans hit a snag when a resident took them to Channel Nine’s ‘A Current Affair’ – with some help from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott – leading former Retirement Living CEO Michael Eggington to pull the pin on the proposal.
However, Lendlease says the redevelopment is needed to bring the village in line with modern standards and future market expectations. “The Renewal proposal received an 83% yes vote with 94% of residents participating,” it states.
They add that the Northern Beaches is currently undersupplied for retirement living and aged care options and the redevelopment will allow locals to age in place.
Unlike other developments we have reported on recently, both residents and members of the community have submitted petitions in support of the project.
The Glenaeon Residents’ Committee has also submitted a letter of support, saying the redevelopment will save on emotional stress for residents who have to leave the community to move into aged care. The average age of residents in the village is 81.
“It is not just the provision of aged care, but also the quality of aged care which is so very important. The Residents of Glenaeon believe this proposal would help ensure a much better future for them and also provide a needed capacity for the broader community.”
