Rose Bay: Newcastle Street vertical village plan revealed
Rose Bay’s ageing population has attracted the eye of developers who are scrambling to meet the demand for downsized supported living with a new $6.6 million plan.
Wentworth Courier
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A new “vertical village” for seniors could be coming to Rose Bay with council already giving approval to demolish the two houses on the site being eyed off by developers.
Woollahra Council has just received a $6.6 million proposal from developers IPM to build a three storey, 10 unit complex on Newcastle St which will cater to the needs of independent older residents.
All 10 units will have a designated wheelchair parking spot in the basement and residents can choose to engage service provider Prestige In Home Care to help them arrange meals, personal care, home nurse visits and housework.
A designated seniors development of this nature must have at least one resident aged over 55 and an affordable housing component to qualify for certain planning “bonuses”.
Brad Caldwell-Eyles, managing director of 1st City Real Estate Group, worked with IPM on the planning of the project.
He said Rose Bay was under serviced when it came to options for older residents who wanted to downsize and receive some in home support but still maintain their connection with the area.
“It’s about getting that mix where it works for developer, and plainly the legislation incentivises developers working on seniors projects by giving them extra Floor Space Ratio, and then delivering floor plans people can genuinely live in until the end of their days,” Mr Caldwell-Eyles said.
Mr Caldwell-Eyles said all going well, construction could start sooner rather than later.
“They (IPM) are in the hands of council but let’s imagine the council, the community and the local planning panel are happy,” he said.
“If there was approval in say quarter one or quarter two of next year, there is no point not to get on with the project.”
The proposed development would replace a single storey house and the neighbouring two storey home.
It is just down the road from the currently under construction luxury seniors project The Stella which is due for completion late this year.
The one single bedroom and nine two bedders in the IPM development are fully self-contained with their own kitchens and laundries so it will be up to the residents on how much or little in home assistance they accept.
The proposed one bedder will be designated as “affordable housing” and managed by a community housing provider.
Documents provided to Woollahra council say the development is exactly what the suburb’s ageing population needs.
“The proposal will provide Rose Bay with a highly sought after seniors housing facility that will allow residents to age in place and remain connected to their local community,” the documents read.
“The population statistics for both the Woollahra LGA generally and Rose Bay specifically provide key insights into the need for age based services and associated facilities. In the 2016 census 18.7 per cent of the Woollahra Local Government Area were aged 65 years and over, compared to 13.9 per cent for Greater Sydney.”
Standing at 10.35m at its upper most point, the development is compliant with the area’s 10.5m height regulations.
However there will be minor, compliant overshadowing of some neighbours on Newcastle St and Wilberforce Ave.
The contemporary MHN Design Union plans boast a generous landscaped garden area which will take up 50 per cent of the site.
It would be located within walking distance of Rose Bay town centre, and close to the golf course and beach.