Blue Mountains: Aged-care service proposals lodged with council
We reveal the future of aged-care facilities in the Blue Mountains as the over-65s population sees a 60 per cent spike.
The Blue Mountains News
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With no major projects in the pipeline for its growing over-65s population the future looks bleak for the Blue Mountains’ older residents.
Blue Mountains state Labor MP Trish Doyle said the State Government began failing its seniors the minute it starting cutting from an “already overcrowded and under-resourced” health system.
“A good first step in better supporting our ageing population would be to boost our community health teams, invest in more nurses, better hospital facilities and an MRI machine in Katoomba,” Ms Doyle said.
An extra 10,000 people aged over 65 will be living in the Blue Mountains in 2041 compared to 2016, when there were 14,800 over-65s, according to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s latest population projections.
That’s a growth of 60 per cent.
Yet, the department has no projects underway, or in planning, to help meet this huge population growth.
But it says it is working with Blue Mountains Council to develop council’s 20-year vision for land use in the local area.
“The department is working with councils across the state to develop local planning and housing strategies that will guide future development in their area, including housing suitable for an ageing population,” a spokesman said.
This leaves new or existing aged-care service providers to meet the additional population demand.
Integrated Design Group has lodged a $5.3 million development application (DA) with Blue Mountains Council to make alterations and additions to Donald Coburn Lodge, the 46-bed low-care residential aged care wing of Buckland Aged Care Services in Springwood.
And Martyn Claver Nursing Home owner-director Claude Pasquali says they have lodged a $1.4 million DA with council to make alterations and additions to the 46-bed nursing home at 200 Megalong St, Leura.
If given the green light, this will be the first renovation at the high-care facility in about 15 years.
Mr Pasquali saidthe plan includes new kitchens and living spaces, “to update and improve amenities and make it more comfortable for the residents.”
Insight Architecture has lodged a $987,000 DA with council for a four-unit senior living development at 7 Peel Street, Glenbrook.
“I would expect any development proposals in the Blue Mountains aimed at housing older people to strictly adhere to Blue Mountains Council’s rules and regulations,” Ms Doyle said.
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District chief executive Kay Hyman said patient rooms in palliative care units at Katoomba and Springwood Hospitals would be refurbished, and new outdoor heaters, water features, paving, seating and rotundas installed.
“Ensuring that our patients, their families and carers receive quality palliative care in a safe, comfortable and home-like environment is a priority for NSW Health,” NSW Health deputy secretary, health system strategy and planning, Dr Nigel Lyons, said.
A planned new seniors development has hit a snag however, with Blue Mountains Local Planning on Monday rejecting Feros Group Developments’ $3.7 million proposal to build 15 dwellings at 409-417 Great Western Highway, Springwood.
A statement of environmental effects lodged with the application said council’s strategic planning documents identify a shortage of quality seniors accommodation in the area.
