Montefiore Hunters Hill: Residents speak out over high-rise seniors living plans for aged care site

A leading aged care provider is facing anger from residents over plans to redevelop a long-running aged care facility – along with 13 homes – into a new multistorey seniors living development.

An artist’s impression of the seniors living development.

A leading aged care provider is facing anger from residents in Hunters Hill over plans to redevelop the suburb’s oldest aged care facility into a new seniors living development.

The Montefiore Hunters Hill aged care facility has been earmarked for a major transformation under a new planning proposal which includes 144 new seniors living units at the site.

The facility was founded by Montefiore back in 1939 and currently caters for more than 300 residents in a nursing home, low-care hostel accommodation and dementia-specific housing.

But new plans by operator Montefiore have proposed to reduce the number of aged care beds from 333 to 194 to make way for new multistorey facilities.

The development would have nine new buildings, ranging in height from two to six storeys tall, with 144 independent living units – primarily catering for people aged over 55.

A concept image of the development.

The proposal also includes a two-level basement car park, bringing the total on-site carparking to 261 spaces.

Local resident Heather Armstrong has hit out at the plans, saying it could set a precedent for overdevelopment in the suburb.

A photo showing the masterplan for the development.

“The proposal will have a huge impact on Boronia Park and the surrounding suburb – it will become a mini city,” she said.

“It would be the start of a chaotic series of planning proposals that would allow higher density seniors housing in the municipality.”

Plans for the site show sections of the current aged care facilities would be demolished as part of the project – along with 13 residential homes on Gaza Ave which form part of Montefiore’s masterplan for the site.

Resident Robert Hayes said the development could cause increased traffic congestion, loss of views and disruption for residents during construction periods.

The plans have been lodged to Hunters Hill Council.

“There’ll be 24/7 activity across the site and will dramatically change the low-rise character of the local area,” he said. “The loss of 344 aged care beds and replacement of 144 premium apartments is not explained or justified in the proposal.

“This redevelopment looks more like property development than aged care.”

In a statement, Montefiore chief executive Robert Orie said the company had not “finalised the mix of type of accommodation on the site but do not envisage any existing residents being impacted or relocated”.

“We would stage the development to ensure no existing resident is displaced,” Mr Orie said.

“New buildings would be constructed to accommodate existing residents who are located in areas that are to be demolished.

The site is bordered by homes and parkland.

“I acknowledge that the current planning proposal does include the indicative location of buildings on the site but this was done primarily to give (Hunters Hill Council) an idea of why we are seeking the relevant height and density controls on the site.

Montefiore – in its plans for the site – state the planning proposal had “been designed with our neighbours in mind.”

“It will preserve existing significant trees wherever possible, and set the tallest buildings away from nearby streets,” the plans state.

The plans further state the proposal would address a shortfall in seniors housing in the local government area and could “free-up availability for the general housing market” by encouraging older residents to downsize from stand-alone homes to seniors living units.

“(The development) provides a range of housing to meet local needs, including specific aged needs and an integrated care and accommodation mode,” the plans state.

The planning proposal has been lodged to Hunters Hill Council and will be considered by the Department of Planning as part of a gateway determination process.

If supported by the department, Montefiore is expected to release a detailed development application for the site by the end of this year.