Uniting, one of Australia’s largest for purpose, not-for-profit organisations, is one step closer to delivering a $233M seniors independent living village in Kingscliff after lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to help address the evolving needs of seniors.
The proposal includes plans to transform the existing residential aged care home into a contemporary seniors’ community and provide a mix of 199 retirement and independent living apartments and 120 residential aged care places, co-located with on-site support services and facilities.
The Kingscliff development has been designed to cultivate a warm and inclusive community. The communal areas surrounded by landscaped gardens will help to promote spontaneous social interactions among residents and foster meaningful connections. By creating a vibrant community with increased services and a strong emphasis on social connection, residents can embrace happier and healthier lives.
If approved, a central feature will be the seniors wellness centre complete with an outdoor pool, gym, cinema, hairdresser and communal clubroom to cater to the diverse needs of residents as they age.
Medical and allied health consulting rooms will also be available on-site to ensure access to essential healthcare services within the community.
Uniting Director of Property and Housing Simon Furness said the proposed development will not only provide a diverse range of much needed housing options for seniors, but will also stimulate the local economy by generating employment opportunities.
“While the former Uniting Kingscliff residential aged care home has served its purpose for over 30 years, we recognise the need for a more contemporary village to meet the evolving needs of seniors who are living more independent lives for longer,” Mr Furness said.
“There has been an increased demand for quality homes and services on the Far North Coast and we are committed to creating a community that supports people to grow older with ease and dignity in the Tweed region they know and love.”Population projections underscore the urgent need for additional housing options in the Tweed, with the local area’s population predicted to grow by between 13,000 and 30,000 people by 20411. A recent study by Tweed Shire Council titled Draft Options Paper, Growth Management and Housing Strategy2 reinforces the importance of diverse housing options, particularly catering to downsizing elderly residents, seniors housing and dedicated aged care aligned with health services. The study also endorses medium density housing types including residential flat buildings in areas closer to neighbourhood centres. The Uniting Kingscliff proposal looks to exemplify this vision.
Seniors’ housing plays an important role in the current conversation around affordable housing and provides significant social benefit to communities. With its focus on supporting local seniors through affordable living, the Uniting Kingscliff development reflects this new thinking. Responding to the specific needs of the ageing population in Kingscliff, the co-location of the retirement and independent living apartments with residential aged care places reinforces Uniting’s continuum of care model. This holistic approach enables residents to transition seamlessly to higher levels of care if needed, ensuring they can age gracefully with dignity in the community they love.
Uniting expects the project will support over 260 jobs throughout the construction period, further underlining its commitment to socio-economic growth and community development in Kingscliff.
