Uniting seniors tower Epping: Oxford Street DA decision made
The long-running saga over the construction of a contentious 16-storey vertical seniors tower, in Sydney’s northwest, has finally come to an end. Critics had said the proposed block would leave vulnerable residents isolated. SEE THE PLANS
Northern District Times
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A 16-storey apartment tower designed for elderly residents will soon be going up in Sydney’s northwest despite concerns that the ‘Vertical Village’ would isolate its senior residents.
Sydney Central Local Planning Panel has recently approved aged care provider Uniting’s application to build a $93 million seniors living tower at 45-53 Oxford Street in Epping.
The ‘Vertical Village’ will include a 60-bed residential aged care facility, independent living and assisting living units and four-level basement carpark at the site which is located north of the Epping Railway Station in the area’s town centre.
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In the panel’s determination it was accepted that the proposal was in the “public interest.”
It further read that the proposed development, which was unanimously approved, was located in an area “earmarked for high-rise residential redevelopment.”
The height breach was considered “well founded” to provide “varying forms of seniors housing” including open space and recreational facilities.
The approval comes just days after public meeting was held on the contentious development.
Janet McGarry from the Epping Civic Trust argued against the ‘Vertical village’ for seniors in light of the pandemic and findings in the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Ms McGarry said since earlier this year it has come to light that there are “more cracks in the (aged care) system.”
“But here you have an application for a vertical aged care village. 16 storeys for aged care residents stacked up in the air,” she told the panel.
Ms McGarry claimed the “vertical towers” would make the elderly including vulnerable residents living with dementia even more “isolated.”
Yet Jennie Buchanan who spoke on behalf of Uniting said the company was one of the “largest aged care providers” in Australia and was “experienced” in designing seniors living.
Ms Buchanan said seniors housing for aged care has come along away from what was traditionally provided years ago.
“We have chosen this site because it is in the Epping town centre and within residents to go and do their shopping and it is important to have senior housing available in the town centre,” she said.
The Trust also expressed concern over the evacuation plans and questioned how staff members would safely evacuate elderly residents across 16 levels in an emergency.
Yet Ms Buchanan said the building complied with all requirements and Uniting would have its own fire evacuation plan.
“We have the required spaces to enable evacuation of people that have mobility impairments,” she told the panel.
The panel approved the application subject to conditions including requirements for an evacuation management plan.
It also noted the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care and requested a briefing from the Department of Planning Industry and Environment.