The Minister for Ageing and the ACT Chief Minister were on hand to open IRT’s new $99 million seniors living community in Canberra.
The Kangara Waters development in Belconnen will be home to about 250 older people in a range of modern villas, units and residential aged care.
Work began on the project in 2005 when the ACT Government approved the construction of the seniors living facility and the federal government provided funding.
IRT CEO, Nieves Murray said the organisation has set out to build a community that older people would like to call home.
“IRT already had a presence [in Canberra] through our community services work but this project provided us with the opportunity to address some of the needs of the ageing population in the region – the result was overwhelming with more than 600 people registering for the first information session,” she said.
During the construction phase, IRT consulted with the local community through a series of regular social gatherings.
Ms Murray said IRT aims to create villages where older people can remain independent while maintaining their community connections.
Ageing Minister, Justine Elliot praised IRT on the construction of Kangara Waters which features an onsite café, a hairdresser, a hydrotherapy pool and activity areas.
“In addition to high quality care and local employment opportunities, the ongoing operation of ‘Kangara Waters’ will provide a $3.5 million a year boost to the local economy,” said Mrs Elliot.
