Sundale CEO: “Every property” under review after turnaround

Cameron Taylor says Sundale is turning its attention to renewing its property portfolio after leading the retirement living and aged care provider through a major turnaround.

Speaking at a Nambour Chamber of Commerce event, Cameron, who was appointed CEO in May 2024, said every property owned by the Sunshine Coast-based Not For Profit would be assessed over the next two years.

“Every property we have over the next two years is either going to be sold if we don’t want it, demolished if we can’t keep it, and refurbished, extended or rebuilt for the future,” he said.

Sundale recently completed an expansion of about 50 independent living units at its Palmwoods Garden Village and expects to lodge development applications for further projects within the next six months.

Cameron said non-core assets would be sold, while buildings that could not be restored or repurposed would be demolished. He cited the McGowan buildings in Nambour as an example of properties that could not be adapted in the same way as the nearby Sunvilla seniors’ rental village.

The property review follows a two-year organisational restructure that has seen Sundale emerge debt-free after a challenging decade during which assets were sold to support operations.

“Our entire purpose at this point in time is to make sure Sundale is set up for the next 40 or 50 years,” Cameron said.

He said the organisation now had cash reserves and a funds management portfolio, putting it in a stronger position to refurbish, expand and replace ageing assets.

Sundale operates retirement living, home care and residential aged care services across the Sunshine Coast, supporting almost 1,500 residents and customers and employing about 800 staff.

Cameron said the overhaul would effectively create a new-look Sundale within three to four years.