Fast-tracked approval awarded to Newcastle aged care and retirement development

Not-for-profit organisation, Uniting, has seen its $300 million seniors housing development approved by the New South Wales Government with the project receiving fast-tracked approval.

Key points

• The housing development will be built on a former TAFE campus in Charlestown, Newcastle, providing the Lower Hunter region with much-needed housing, care and jobs
• There will be 120 residential aged care beds and over 200 independent living units, with assisted living services available
• Uniting estimates 600 jobs will be created during the construction process, alongside another 150 aged care-related jobs upon completion
• Construction is expected to begin in 2025 following a tender process in 2024

It’s a milestone moment for the industry as it’s the first time the NSW Government has granted State Significant Development Approval (SSDA) for residential care and retirement development under its new Housing State Environmental Policy. 

This means the project’s approval has been fast-tracked with a rapid assessment framework, ensuring better assessment, coordination and engagement throughout the process.

“Recognising the demand and ongoing need for quality retirement living options, 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,” explained Simon Furness, Uniting Director of Property and Housing.

The development itself will benefit the region as the percentage of people aged 60 and older in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie is above the state average and rising.

“The demand for retirement living options is increasing rapidly. 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% over the next 20 years,” added Mr Furness.

Key features

• There will be four separate buildings located on the Tiral Street development with varying heights from 5-14 storeys
• On-site amenities and features include a landscaped rooftop with BBQ area, cafe, hair salon, chapel/multi-faith space, pool and wellness centre supporting ongoing care and wellbeing 
• General Practitioners and healthcare professionals will also have access to on-site visiting rooms to see residents while the local medical centre and health precinct are only a few minutes away

By investing in retirement and aged care living, Uniting is following a growing trend within the sector to provide all-encompassing options for ageing on the same site. Increased investments into independent living are also seen as a long-term financial gain for the aged care sector.

Recent estimations from the Retirement Living Council (RLC) suggest the Government could save at least $350 million by 2030 with fast-tracked investments into retirement living spaces. Simply reducing an older person’s entry into aged care by one or two years could save up to $1.05 billion in a best-case scenario.

“A lot of people think residential aged care and retirement living are the same thing but they’re not. It comes down to lifting the awareness and profile of this sector so that more and more Australians better understand the healthcare benefits,” said Daniel Gannon, RLC Executive Director.

“If we think residential aged care is under immense challenges now then it’s only going to get more and more tricky over the next two decades as Australia’s population continues to age.”