Consumer advocacy: The not-for-profit provider wants to build a 144-bed, 12-storey senior living facility in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Lewisham – right next to the historic Petersham Park (pictured below– 20 minutes from Sydney CBD).
The 135 new units – to be spread across three separate towers – would replace Catholic Healthcare’s existing Lewisham Nursing Home, which houses only 56 residents.
A spokesperson for local activist group Save Petersham Park (SPP), Kathleen Reynolds, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the 12 storeys were proposed for an area that would be visible from the park, and that building “a wall of units” would be “criminal” and would affect local access to the beloved public space.
Ms Reynolds said SPP is also concerned about the potential traffic congestion, parking difficulties and a lack of nearby public services (such as hospitals) that would be exacerbated by the development.
Planning documents lodged with the Inner West Council reveal that the proposal has already been scaled back in size following protests from SPP and other residents.
A final approval decision will be made by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.
Pictured above: An artist's impression of Catholic Healthcare's proposed aged care facility in Lewisham. Image courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald.
