Uniting kicks off seniors’ precinct redevelopment
The Not For Profit has turned the first sod on its $148 million Nareen Gardens retirement village redevelopment at Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast.
David Mehan, Member for The Entrance, and Emma McBride, Member for Dobell, joined Uniting NSW.ACT Chief Executive Officer Tracey Burton and Director of Property and Housing Simon Furness, Growthbuilt Joint Chief Executive Officer Peter Sukkar, and Uniting Nareen Gardens residents to celebrate the milestone.
“Our vision will transform Uniting Nareen Gardens into a welcoming and inclusive community where we can deliver continuous care and support services for our residents as they age, alongside active social spaces including a village green, landscaped gardens with more than 350 new trees, a barbecue area, children’s playground, seniors’ gym and other facilities designed to support and promote health and wellbeing,” Tracey said.
The two-stage development will deliver co-located retirement living apartments and aged care services on the 3.76ha site. The first stage is set to include 76 apartments across three buildings, with extensive landscaping and walkways.
In March 2022, Uniting NSW.ACT had to scale back the redevelopment of Nareen Gardens after announcing its plans in 2021.
Simon said Growthbuilt had been appointed to construct Stage One of the redevelopment, which was expected to be completed in late 2027.
He said the overall masterplan would deliver retirement living residences in a space where residents could prioritise their health and wellbeing, alongside aged care services to support residents as they age in place.
“In the future, the second stage will deliver more retirement living apartments and a new residential aged care service, making it one of the most contemporary and integrated services on the Central Coast,” Simon added.
“Uniting Nareen Gardens will be a socially inclusive retirement community that supports ageing-in-place and strong community connections. From the village green to the shared barbecue areas and children’s playground, this masterplan has been designed to foster intergenerational connections and support the wellbeing of our residents, and we look forward to bringing our vision to life.”
