Opal HealthCare pulls out of Living Choice partnership
Opal HealthCare, the nation's leading residential aged care operator, cited "differences in how the development could come to life".
The planned redevelopment of the 2.8 hectare Highgate Park site in Fullarton, Adelaide, has been rocked.
Opal HealthCare, the nation's leading residential aged care operator, cited "differences in how the development could come to life" for its decision to walk away.
Living Choice and Opal HealthCare jointly acquired the 2.3ha former disability accommodation site, known as the Julia Farr Centre, for $42 million in January 2024, the South Australian Government said. The site has been closed since April 2020.
In February, Living Choice and Opal HealthCare released detailed plans for the redevelopment of Highgate Park. They proposed a mix of 56 residential apartments, 159 assisted living beds, 72 retirement apartments in a five-storey building, and 16 two-storey townhouses, alongside a large central garden.
In response to community and council feedback, Living Choice lodged a revision of the proposed development, scrapping the ground-level car park that would have connected the new and existing buildings. Instead, the private retirement living operator planned to expand the basement carpark, enabling the addition of six more ground-level independent living units. Additional updates include a new laneway, new central park precinct, garden walk, a southern and central garden, and rooftop gardens and courtyards.
"The redevelopment is a unique project designed to bring together residential aged care, retirement living and general housing for families," an Opal HealthCare spokesperson said.
"The aged care community was planned for the lower levels of the former Julia Farr Centre, with residential apartments on the upper floors. However, residential aged care has different requirements from general apartment living and the recent Planning Approval, submitted by Living Choice Australia and approved by the City of Unley on 28 October 2025, did not meet Opal HealthCare’s design and development requirements for aged care accommodation and services.
"Opal HealthCare already operates six care facilities in the Adelaide area, in the suburbs of Joslin, Everard Park, Glen Osmond, Old Reynella, Aldinga Beach and Gawler, and is actively pursuing other opportunities to provide high quality choice for ageing Australians in South Australia."
Living Choice said the aged care facility was designed in accordance with Opal Healthcare’s design guidelines by architect Brown Falconer.
"Living Choice Australia will deliver the approved retirement village expansion and residential precinct. This will continue uninterrupted while the company engages potential development partners that align with its vision for the site," a spokesperson said.
"Living Choice Australia is committed to creating a community-focused precinct designed to assist ageing in place, enhance housing choice, and meet the evolving needs of South Australians as they age."
In June, Living Choice officially opened the latest stage of Living Choice Flagstaff Hill, Fullarton, — South Australia’s first fully integrated golf course and retirement community — in partnership with Flagstaff Hill Golf Club.
