ASX-listed Stockland is seeking approval to turn its Lourdes Retirement Village in Killara, 14km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, into a major retirement and aged care complex to meet the growing demand for seniors’ accommodation.
The development, if approved, would include 141 independent living units and a 110-bed aged care facility on the northern half of the site. Sixty-three medium density townhouses would also be built on the southern half of the site. Other planned features include landscaping works, 1400sqm of communal space, new internal roadways, a community centre, swimming pool, a pavilion for outdoor functions and 398 carparks.
The proposal is a major expansion of the 5.25ha estate which currently has 108 independent living units, an 83-bed aged care home and 49 serviced apartments.
Plans by Stockland show buildings would stand up to six storeys tall topping 22m – more than double Ku-ring-gai Council’s current 9.5m limit.
Stockland said the development would bring the facility into the modern era with many of the current buildings, dating back to 1983, lacking amenities such as lifts and in “need of significant renewal to provide modern seniors housing.”
The renewal is also aimed at providing new housing for the north shore’s growing and ageing population with NSW Government modelling showing the number of people in Sydney’s north aged above 85 is expected to increase by 85 per cent by 2036.
“More diverse housing types and medium density housing, as well as the design of walkable neighbourhoods, will create opportunities for older people to continue living in their community, where being close to family, friends and established health and support networks improves people’s wellbeing,” the plans stated.
The plans are under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning.
