Zero new seniors’ housing developments: this must stop for the future of retirement living

The debacle with planning laws can be illustrated in today’s story on Uniting NSW.ACT.

The Not For Profit said in April last year it will spend $150 million turning its Uniting Kingscliff residential aged care home on NSW’s Northern Rivers into an integrated site featuring about 235 independent retirement living apartments and 120 residential aged care beds, including dementia care places.

Now due to a furious community backlash, it has drastically changed its proposals and more changes may be needed.

The delays mean the cost has ballooned to $200 million and it is nothing like originally proposed. Another story today on Pathways Residences' plan for Cremorne in Sydney may face the same opposition.

It is time for the entire sector to lobby State Governments and get planning laws changed. Karen Armstrong, Ethos Urban Director, Planning, told DCM Group’s Masterclass last week that 21 State Significant Developments for seniors’ housing have been lodged in NSW over the last 21 months.

None have been finalised and Uniting’s revised Kingscliff plan will be added next year. Pathways Residences may be in the same position. 

The SOURCE: Village and land lease operators will only develop new sites if they have confidence.