Waverley War Memorial Hospital redevelopment decision revealed
Plans for a massive residential precinct to be built at a revitalised Waverley War Memorial Hospital site have been decided on by the NSW Government.
Wentworth Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wentworth Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- High-rise tower plan will ‘positively contribute’ to eastern Sydney suburb
- Decision looms for surf club revamp
- Iconic mechanic to go for boarding house in south eastern Sydney
The fate of plans to transform a historic hospital precinct in Sydney’s eastern suburbs into a massive residential community have been sealed by NSW Planning.
Aged care giant, Uniting, made a last-ditch effort to save its vision for the Waverley War Memorial Hospital site in Birrell St, after council voted to turn down the multimillion-dollar plans last year.
However, NSW Planning has upheld the decision, preventing the plans from becoming a reality.
The hospital, which is currently used as a rehabilitation centre, would have been the focal piece of a “holistic community hub”, according to a planner for the project: “where people can access a range of contemporary housing, accommodation and support services across a spectrum ranging from early learning and seniors housing to contemporary healthcare”.
The planner said the project earmarked the construction of key worker and affordable housing, and opened up a gated community to the public.
“This project is high priority and is of organisational significance for Uniting,” the planner said.
“Waverley is part of (Uniting’s) ten-year plan and a budget is already in place to ensure the vision for the site is realised.
“The existing services and accommodation on the site is ready for renewal and the accommodation in its current state, does not meet universal living standards.”
According to the applicant, current aged care residents are living in four-bed rooms with shared bathrooms, “not in line with the contemporary aged care service model”.
A Waverley Council strategic planner said officers raised several issues over the plans, including the bid to rezone the site for development to occur.
“We do not support the proposed heights across the site,” the planner said. “We also have a position on the transport implications of the planning proposal.”
Uniting Property and Housing Director, Simon Furness, said Waverley Council has “taken a more conservative approach to the planning proposal”, with council’s version of the proposal currently being considered by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
“Uniting will continue to work openly with the council and the community to achieve a desirable outcome,” she said.