Greenlight for Uniting housing

Not-for-profit provider Uniting is developing a $300-million seniors’ housing complex featuring 120 residential aged care beds.

The development – located in Lake Macquarie New South Wales – will also feature more than 200 independent living units, and provide assisted living services.

Uniting director of property and housing Simon Furness said the multimillion-dollar complex would address the increasing demand for retirement living options in the area. “Almost one-in-three people in the Lake Macquarie region is aged over 55, and the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase by almost 30 per cent over the next 20 years.”

Housed on the site of the former TAFE campus in Tiral Street, Charlestown, the landmark development is the first time the NSW Government has granted a State Significant Development Approval for a seniors’ living proposal under its new Housing State Environmental Planning Policy.

Mr Furness said he was “delighted” the NSW Government identified the need to fast-track the development under its SSDA process. “Uniting is steadfast in our plans to double the number of independent living units over the next 10 years to around 6,000, primarily driven by building new retirement villages.”

Featuring four separate buildings, varying in height from five to 14 stories, the development includes a clubhouse, café, hair salon, outdoor seating and dining, a landscaped rooftop with a BBQ area, gardens, walking paths and a multifaith space.

Visiting rooms for GPs and allied health practitioners, and a wellness centre also feature in the development’s plans.

Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said the development’s facilities, housing mix and location aligned with the council’s vision for the area. “It’s close to existing services, shops and transport, it addresses our growing need for new housing, and it will be a driver of employment for many years to come.”

Uniting expects the project will support 600 jobs throughout the build period and another 150 jobs once construction is complete.

Work on the tender process will commence early this year with the aim to appoint the builder by late 2024.

Construction is anticipated to commence in early 2025.

Images: Artist’s impression of Uniting’s seniors’ housing development, and an aerial image of its location

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