In late April, the high-profile aged care provider submitted a Development Application with Waratah-Wynyard Council, Tasmania, to redevelop a traditional aged care home on the northwest coast into the small household model they established eight years ago in Queensland.
Justin Chadwick, Operations Manager and son of NewDirection Care Founder and CEO Natasha Chadwick, told The Weekly SOURCE he anticipates the $20.1 million redevelopment will be complete by September 2026.
The proposal involves redeveloping the 71-bed Wynyward Care Centre, about 350km north of Hobart, into a 64-bed MICRO TOWN®. This project has been in development for nearly four years.
Operations Manager
NewDirection Care
Justin is hopeful that approval will be granted by July 2025, with construction set to begin shortly thereafter.
The project is intended as a "proof of concept" that older buildings can be redeveloped into new designs such as small-house communities and models like a MICRO TOWN®, said Justin.
The original Wynyard facility was built 30 years ago, but in 2014, NewDirection Care tested the small house model when they built two small homes in the existing traditional aged care home.
The project was a success and led to the provider's 120-bed MICRO TOWN®, at Bellmere, QLD, which opened in 2017.
visits the Bellemere MICRO TOWN®
The MICRO TOWN® is an inclusive communities appropriate for older people living with dementia. They feature recognisable community facilities, such as a corner store, cafe, hairdresser, and gym. Staff are referred to as 'house companions' and undergo five weeks of training before they begin work on site.
Natasha recently told The SOURCE in our 'political wishlist' series before the Federal election that she would like to see the Federal Government establish an independent Aged Care Innovation Hub and provide more funding and promotion of innovation in aged care, "spotlighting" and promoting successful case studies.
