Airds Bradbury Urban Renewal Project: Proposal to build seniors living development on Riverside Dr

In a bid to meet the demands of an ageing population, a $16 million plan has been submitted to build a seniors living development in a southwest Sydney suburb. See what it could look like here.

A $16 million plan to construct a seniors living development to meet the needs of an ageing population is being assessed by the state’s planning authority.

The proposal seeks to build a housing development comprising of 31 two-bedroom independent living units, in a mix of two and three-storey blocks.

There will be a basement car park for 21 vehicles, communal gardens and associated site landscaping at 51 Riverside Drive, Airds.

“The development will provide well designed accessible seniors housing and make a positive contribution to the Airds Urban Renewal Project,” documents submitted to the NSW Planning Portal stated.

“The construction of a seniors housing development comprising independent living units on the site will result in the provision of affordable housing for seniors by a social housing provider.

“Future residents will have excellent amenity including exceptional access to public transport, local services, and employment opportunities.”

The NSW Planning Portal has a development application for a $16m seniors living centre at Airds.

It would involve the construction of a part two and part three-storey seniors living development comprising 31 independent living units.

According to the development application documents, the seniors living block would help to meet the growing need for seniors housing in Airds and the broader Campbelltown area.

It would also “reinforce the character and role” of Riverside Drive on a site adjacent to a shopping centre.

The Campbelltown local government area falls into the Western City District alongside LGAs such as Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly.

Planning documents for the Western City District reveal that a 206 per cent proportional increase in people aged 85 and over, and a 93 per cent increase in the 65 to 84 age group, is expected by 2036.

The development is currently under assessment by the state’s planning portal.

Planning documents state the proposal fits within the vision of the Airds Bradbury Renewal Project.

“As such, a response in the form of more diverse housing and the provision of services within a walkable distance are required to meet the needs of the growing aged population,” planning documents state.

“The proposed development provides for the growing older population and is located nearby relevant services which residents may require access to.”

The development application is currently being assessed by the NSW Planning Portal, and has a capital investment value of $16,059,057.

What is the Airds Bradbury Renewal project?

In August 2012, the major project concept plan for the Airds Bradbury Renewal Project (ABRP) was approved.

The Airds Bradbury estate was built in the 1970s and early 1980s, and housed approximately 1540 dwellings, 94 per cent of which were in public ownership.

Under the Concept Plan approved by the NSW Government in 2012, Airds Bradbury is on its way to becoming a contemporary, mixed community of around 2100 modern homes, surrounded by 38ha of regenerated bushland.

Up to 30 per cent (630), of these homes will be new and retained social housing that will aim to seamlessly blend in with new private housing.

Construction for Stages 4 and 6 is underway while planning continues for stages 5, 7, 8 and 9.

Major parts of the concept plan included an increased social mix with 70 per cent private housing and 30 per cent public housing; formalisation and revitalisation of the Airds town centre; and a street tree and landscaping strategy.