Waitara high-rise seniors village proposal revealed by Vasey Housing

Plans for a 12 storey seniors housing development in the heart of Sydney’s northwest have been revealed, a year after the property’s last residents were removed from their seniors village.

An artist’s Impression of 18 Waitara Ave, Waitara — Kokoda Residence.

• High-rise seniors housing proposal on hold after planning panel fail
• Retirees forced to leave retirement village over development
• Hornsby Council objects to Waitara public school redevelopment

PLANS for a 12 storey seniors housing development in the heart of Waitara have been revealed, a year after Vasey Housing’s last residents were removed from their Parkview Waitara seniors home.

The development application for 117 seniors living apartments at 18 Waitara Ave, Waitara — dubbed Kokoda Residence — was submitted by Vasey Housing to Hornsby Council last month, as demolition of the site was finalised.

Kokoda Residence will include 117 seniors apartments.

“The application seeks development consent for the construction of a twelve storey seniors housing building comprising 117 independent living units, communal facilities including a cafe, lounge, bar, games area, activity room, multimedia room, and hair dresser, administration areas, kitchen, storage and waste areas, communal landscaped courtyard, basement parking, and a loading dock,” the development application said.

The original artist impressions for 18 Waitara Ave, Waitara

The proposal said the development sought to “meet growing needs for seniors housing in Hornsby Shire through the provision of independent living units” and create a well-designed high-quality, high-amenity development that satisfies contemporary seniors housing residential standards.

Former Parkview retirement home residents Richard Best and Stephen Baume at Waitara in January. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Troy Snook

A mix of unit types are proposed as part of the development, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms.

The $68 million development, which has risen $22.5 million in the past year, was hit with several roadblocks last year after residents of Parkview Waitara refused to leave their homes over lifetime contracts and the Sydney Central City Planning Panel knocked back a concept proposal over a lack of detail.

The application is currently being assessed by Hornsby Council staff before it is determined by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.