Uniting NSW.ACT is moving forward with its plans to create a contemporary, vibrant seniors community at Wattle Road in the Shellharbour City Centre, and deliver much needed seniors’ housing and services to the area.
The site will be delivered in 4 stages, with stage 1 to provide 152 retirement and independent living apartments, community facilities and landscaped communal spaces.
By 2031, the number of people aged over 65 years in the Shellharbour area is predicted to increase to over 19,100 people[1], highlighting a growing need to ensure the area is well equipped to provide quality accommodation and services, allowing seniors to age in place in a thriving, welcoming community.
“We’ve been providing quality aged care services in the Illawarra area for over 50 years, and we’re committed to investing in the long-term future of Shellharbour,” said Simon Furness, Director of Property and Housing, Uniting.
“Our vision for this project is to create a modern village that fosters social connection amongst an increasing ageing population —a welcoming community where companionship is encouraged, without compromising residents’ privacy.”
Uniting’s Wattle Road Shellharbour development will offer a combination of independent living apartments and Assisted Living Services on site, supporting residents to continue living in their home of choice, as their care needs change.
Included in Stage 1 of the project, 10% of the purposefully designed independent living apartments will be made available as affordable housing for seniors. There will be basement parking for 149 vehicles and residents will benefit from the extensive outdoor communal spaces, including two landscaped central courtyards and two landscaped roof top terraces, all conveniently located close to the local shopping centre and medical facilities.
The residential apartments will comprise one, two, and three bedroom options across four buildings, featuring contemporary designed spaces where residents can feel comfortable in their new home, and enjoy the variety of amenities and services throughout the village.
As part of Stage 1 planning, Uniting has submitted two applications to Shellharbour City Council; a Modification Application and a Development Application. The Modification Application aims to update and improve the 2014 approved design to more accurately reflect current planning guidelines and market expectations. Updates include:
- Increased cross-ventilation and solar access to many of the apartments
- Increased separation between buildings to improve privacy
- The addition of a clubroom and administrative offices
- Separate access to the basement for residents and service vehicles
- Improved pedestrian access from Wattle Road.
Mr Furness continued, “Uniting has been seeking to meet the area’s long-term need for aged care services and seniors housing for many years, and we’re excited to continue building quality homes and services for Shellharbour’s seniors with the addition of our Wattle Road development.”
The Wattle Road development is the latest stage in Uniting’s overall plan for the Shellharbour area, joining Uniting Elanora residential aged care which opened in 2011 and the expansion of Uniting Lakeview independent living village, which opened in 2019.
If the applications are approved, the Wattle Road development is proposed to be constructed in four stages, with stage one construction anticipated to start in late 2025/early 2026 for an early Autumn 2028 completion.
About Uniting retirement living
Uniting is committed to developing retirement and independent living solutions for older people across NSW and the ACT. As the largest not-for-profit provider of seniors services in NSW and the ACT, Uniting currently has over 3,700 residents living independently across 24 independent living communities. Residents embrace an active lifestyle with care available when needed. Over the next decade Uniting will continue to invest in new retirement and independent living communities that generate financial returns that can assist to deliver social impact through concessional aged care, low-cost rental housing and social impact projects across the organisation.
[1] Urbis, 2021 and 2024
