Doubling up for Brisbane's already robust aged care development pipeline

Doubling up for Brisbane's already robust aged care development pipeline
Mark BaljakJune 29, 2018

Already flush with scores of intended sizeable aged care and retirement living developments, Brisbane stands to gain another two post their lodgement with council last week.

More impressive of the two from a design aesthetic is ThomsonAdsett's design for 193-195 Lutwyche Road. The Windsor development is being backed by Denmac Nominees Pty Ltd and includes 177 dwellings, split between 98 retirement aged care rooms and 79 independent living units.

Ancillary aspects of the proposal include 179 basement car parks plus 1,351 square metres of space dedicated toward retail, cafe, and health care uses. An entire communal level and rooftop terrace form the amenities aspect of the proposal.

Located opposite Karuna Hospice Services long established Windsor campus, 193-195 Lutwyche Road at 12 levels would comfortably outsize any existing development in the vicinity.

Doubling up for Brisbane's already robust aged care development pipeline
Greenery forms an integral part of the project. Planning image: ThomsonAdsett

Meanwhile, The Ethnic Communities' Council of Qld Ltd is supporting a development application in nearby Indooroopilly. The existing Berlasco Court residential care facility onsite is due for an overhaul by way of a seven level extension designed by Paynter Dixon.

Catering for fully dependent individuals, 142-148 Central Avenue has the ability to significantly increase to the number persons that can be accommodated onsite. This would be a realisation of additional residential aged care bed licences granted to the operator, combined with a Federal Government capital grant to facilitate the redevelopment.

The residential care facility aspect of the proposal sees 115 beds in the mix, with 18 dwellings for supported living also included. 53 car parking spaces and 2,250 square metres of communal space are also present, with the bulk of the communal space at ground level.

On the design, Paynter Dixon states "The intent is that the building embraces its surroundings with a noninstitutional and residential aesthetic to resonate with the local community as well as its occupants and staff.

The material palette takes inspiration from the local vernacular of low set Queenslander style dwellings juxtaposed with multi story residential and commercial developments. A blend of new and old Brisbane."

Doubling up for Brisbane's already robust aged care development pipeline
A new Berlasco Court. Planning image: Paynter Dixon

The arrival of the Windsor and Indooroopilly applications is against a backdrop of Brisbane City Council amending its city planning framework in order to offer a more streamlined approach to building, extending or upgrading aged care facilities and retirement facilities.

Council's aim in part is to realise new facilities in diversified locations across Brisbane. Developers for their part have come to the party as evidenced by the strong number of aged care / retirement living proposals appearing across Brisbane.

One of 2018's largest announced projects is Lendlease's partnership with Brisbane Racing Club to create a retirement and aged care precinct within Doomben Racecourse. Lendlease intends to realise 300 independent living units and 108 aged care beds across staged development.

Also on the agenda are sizeable projects in Woolloongabba, Mitchelton, Nundah, Toowong, Newmarket and Carina Heights that are capable of adding thousands of new aged care and retirement living dwellings.

Doubling up for Brisbane's already robust aged care development pipeline
A selection of forthcoming aged care / retirement living developments across Brisbane

Mark Baljak

Mark Baljak was a co-founder of Urban.com.au. He passed away on Thursday 8th of November 2018 after a battle with cancer. He was 37. Mark was a keen traveller, having visited all six permanently-inhabited continents and had a love of craft beer. One of his biggest passions was observing the change that has occurred in Melbourne over the past two decades. In that time he built an enormous library of photos, all taken by him, which tracked the progress of construction on building sites from across metropolitan Melbourne.

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