THE development application for Strathearn’s $21 million residential aged care facility in St Aubin’s Estate on Gundy Road has been approved by Upper Hunter Shire Council.
Strathearn’s chief executive officer Matthew Downie said construction was scheduled to begin by October this year.
“We anticipate we will be able to turn soil for the construction of the retirement village by October this year,” Mr Downie said. “The aged care facility is more complex and we plan to begin its construction next year.
“The approval of the development application is the final approval we needed for the project, the next step will be finalising the construction details and going out to tender,” he said.
Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said the new facility would address a major accommodation shortage for the area.
“The development will significantly benefit the local community, both now and into the future,by providing additional, purpose-built seniors’ housing which will address the shortage of aged care and dementia care accommodation for the elderly,” Cr Watts said.
The development includes a two-storey residential aged care facility with 136 dementia care beds, a new aged care village with 23 independent living units and a child care facility.
The 23 aged care village units, the first phase of construction, will comprise two- and three-bedroom dwellings with single or double garages.
The village will include a community facility with a hall with seating for 50 people, kitchen, bar, lounge pool room and outdoor seating areas.
The childcare centre will accommodate 90 places for children aged up to 6 years, employ 16 staff members and be open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm.
The infrastructure works for the development include bulk earthworks, construction of an internal road system and new intersections to Gundy Road, storm water and onsite detention, electrical and communication services and hydraulic services.
