Abel Tasman Village, Chester Hill: Multimillion-dollar revamp proposal includes dementia garden, 55 units, 106 beds

A dedicated “dementia garden” has been proposed as part of a multimillion-dollar plan to revamp an aged care facility in Sydney’s west.

A multimillion-dollar proposal to revamp an aged care centre in Sydney’s west, delivering more than 50 units and 106 beds, is a step closer following approvals to rezone part of the future site.

Abel Tasman Village Association has proposed a $65m plan to demolish its existing aged care facility in Chester Hill and replace it with five brand-new buildings, on a site with a combined site area of 12,738sq m.

The plans, deemed to be of state significance, also include the construction of a dedicated “dementia garden” as part of its core specialised care for people with dementia, and three of the five buildings to be built during stage one.

Building A will comprise 39 independent living units over six or seven storeys, including a retail component facing Waldron Rd. It will also feature basement parking to accommodate 48 car spaces.

A four-storey residential facility, Building B, has also been proposed for the site and is expected to deliver 106 beds, a central kitchen and laundry, a gym, cinema room, cafe and a hairdresser. The basement level is expected to accommodate 30 parking spaces.

Aerial view of proposed plans for a new aged care centre in Chester Hill. Picture: Abel Tasman

A third building will also be constructed to deliver a further 16 independent living units over basement parking for 19 cars.

According to a scoping report by Evolution Planning, the project relies on Building A to first be constructed in order to house existing residents who will be “displaced” once demolition works commence for Building B.

Concept art for Build A of proposed plans for a new aged care centre in Chester Hill. Picture: Abel Tasman

At the time of the report, the zoning for the land proposed for Building A did not allow for high-density residential structures.

However, since then, Canterbury-Bankstown Council has rezoned the area to allow this.

Abel Tasman Village Association is yet to lodge a development application for stage two, which includes the construction of two additional four-storey buildings set to house 24 independent living units each.

Concept art for Build B including a “dementia garden” for a new aged care centre in Chester Hill. Picture: Abel Tasman

The proposed redevelopment is one of six aged care centre proposals deemed to be of state significance.

Last year, the state approved plans for Opal HealthCare’s Narwee Parklands Seniors Housing, which is set to deliver a whopping 165 beds across three storeys once construction is completed.

Under the approved plans, Opal HealthCare will construct the brand-new care facility across 7000sq m, and will also feature 30 carparking spaces and an ambulance bay, a kitchen, dining and lounge rooms.