Uniting NSW.ACT is on track to transform its Wesley Gardens residential aged care home into a thriving, contemporary seniors' community, providing specialist services to the Northern Beaches region and supporting older people to continue to live in their own homes with ease and dignity.
The redevelopment will deliver retirement and independent living apartments, co-located with on-site support services, (including a new residential aged care home) to ensure a continuum of care for residents.
Simon Furness, Director of Property and Housing, Uniting NSW.ACT shared, “We’re excited to move into the next phase of this project, with the recent formal lodgement of a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) moving us one step closer to providing much needed seniors’ housing and services to the area.”
By expanding the existing service, Uniting NSW.ACT can continue its nearly 50-years of dedication, providing quality aged care services and support in the Northern Beaches, offering more seniors’ accommodation and services to meet the area’s growing demand.
“Uniting’s redevelopment proposal for Wesley Gardens aims to represent a new benchmark in seniors living for Belrose, offering privacy, security and independence, supported by easy access to care and support services for peace of mind,” said Mr. Furness.
“We are very grateful to the local community who participated in the community consultation process during 2024. We have listened to the feedback provided and updated our plans through minor design enhancements.”
The Uniting Wesley Gardens redevelopment has been thoughtfully designed to create a warm, welcoming community surrounded by nature. The grounds have been designed to blend harmoniously with the leafy surrounds, offering a strong connection to the natural landscape, with ample tree coverage, and inviting spaces to relax, unwind or connect with loved ones.
With carefully considered shared indoor and outdoor spaces, it encourages social connection and supports residents’ wellbeing, while complementing their independent living homes.
The redevelopment proposal includes:
- 147 independent living apartments
- 120 residential aged care places, including specific areas for those living with dementia
- Community spaces such as a pool, gym, hairdressing salon, clubhouse, café, cinema and chapel
- Landscaped gardens
- Village hub with two outdoor recreation areas, thoughtfully designed to create spontaneous opportunities for connection and located within a natural bushland setting. These two large, green spaces will have a wide variety of uses ranging from gatherings with friends and family, and exercise to activities that involve quiet contemplation.
Uniting has considered the future of seniors housing and support and has proposed a development where care can be delivered into residents’ accommodation of choice, whether that be retirement living apartments or residential aged care, from a central care hub.
“Residents need to feel they have a voice and a choice in their care,” continues Mr. Furness.
“Through the redevelopment of the Uniting Wesley Gardens site, we’re committed to delivering a welcoming community that is designed to support residents to live independently for longer, while ensuring they have the control to make important decisions about their care needs at any time.”
The project is set to be placed on public exhibition in May. During this period, community members can have their say by making a formal submission about the project to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
“Uniting is committed to keeping the community updated on the project, every step of the way, and looks forward to engaging with the community on this next phase of the redevelopment of Wesley Gardens,” Simon said.
For more information on the redevelopment of Uniting Wesley Gardens, visit the project website here: www.uniting.org/unitingbelrose
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.
