Blacktown Workers’ Club seniors living resort plans overcome planning hurdle

The proposed $80 million seniors village is a step closer to becoming a reality after years of planning hurdles.

Blacktown Workers' Club's seniors living resort in Arndell Park is one step closer to becoming a reality after initial plans were approved by the State Planning Panel. Picture: Supplied

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Grand plans for an $80 million seniors living resort and aged care home in western Sydney have reached another milestone after years of planning and roadblocks.

The Blacktown Workers’ Club proposal is another step closer to becoming a reality after plans for almost 500 seniors living units were officially lodged with the state planning panel last month.

The proposed development will include a mixture of self-care units and an aged care facility. Picture: Supplied

If approved, the resort would be built on the site next door to the Blacktown Workers’ Sports Club in Arndell Park and feature nine residential towers, ranging from three to seven storeys high.The plans also included construction of an aged care facility with up to 160 beds, two community centres, a swimming pool, gym and carpark.The resort proposal hit a snag almost two years ago, after planners initially deemed the site incompatible with the development.

The site of the proposed development on the corner of Reservoir Rd and Penny Pl, Arndell Park. Picture: Google Maps

However, the club overcame the obstacle last July when, after a few amendments to the plans, the site was given the tick of approval.Developers were forced to significantly scale down the plans, from a proposed 800 self-contained apartments to 480, following feedback from Blacktown CouncilSpeaking to the Advocate previously, club president Kay Kelly said the village was designed with the Blacktown region’s rapidly ageing community in mind.

Earlier artists’ impressions of the proposed development prior to revisions. Picture: Supplied

“It will be a true intergenerational community hub,” Ms Kelly said.“One where children can play junior sport at a purpose-built facility, where families and friends of all ages can dine at our Sports Club and where our senior members can find a place, not just to live, but enjoy life and thrive in their later years.”The development will be situated to the south of the current club, on the former H.E. Laybutt sporting fields.

Earlier artists’ impressions of the proposed development prior to revisions. Picture: Supplied

Blacktown Workers’ Club has more than 54,000 members, more than half of which are aged over 55 years.

Earlier artists’ impressions of the proposed development prior to revisions. Picture: Supplied