Highfields retirement village expansion approved

A LIFELINE has been thrown to the doorstep of aged Highfields residents who become too infirm to live unassisted in retirement housing.

A LIFELINE has been thrown to the doorstep of aged Highfields residents who become too infirm to live unassisted in retirement housing.

Council-approved expansion of the existing Brownesholme Village at 109 Highfields Rd is set to begin next year.

The facility currently consists of 61 units ranging from one to three bedrooms in size.

A 96-bed aged care facility will soon be added, along with 79 extra unassisted retirement units.

Up to 100 new staff will be required for the completed centre.

The centre is run by Queensland Baptist Care, an organisation that specialises in aged care, counselling, hospital chaplaincy and youth centre management.

Chief executive officer Jon Campbell said the extensions would allow residents to move into a higher level of care without having to leave the community.

"...But the aged care centre will not be exclusive to Brownesholme retirement residents," he said.

"It will also help meet the growing demand for retirement living and aged care services in the Toowoomba region.

"The development is significant for the community of Highfields as it will be the first residential aged care centre in the town.

"The integrated development will offer a range of accommodation options, allowing residents to choose the lifestyle that best suits their needs."

The portion of Toowoomba's population over the age of 65 is projected to reach 20.5 per cent by 2031, equating to 50,161 people.

Originally published as Highfields retirement village expansion approved