Waverley War Memorial Hospital: Uniting proposal aged care, seniors living in historic hospital precinct

An aged care giant has revived its $375 million vision to transform a historic hospital precinct in Sydney’s eastern suburbs into a sprawling seniors living hub with hundreds of homes.

The historic Edina property on the Uniting War Memorial Hospital in Waverley.

A multimillion-dollar vision to transform a historic hospital precinct in Sydney’s east into a sprawling aged care facility has been revived in a bid to “rejuvenate a landmark urban site”.

Aged care provider Uniting have pitched a $375 million transformation of the Waverley War Memorial Hospital Site.

The proposal, lodged with the state planning panel, comes after an earlier rezoning proposal for the project was voted down by Waverley Council and in 2020.

At the time, it was reported a Waverley Council strategic planner said several issues with the plans were raised, including the proposed building height and transport implications.

An earlier sketch of the proposed redevelopment.

In documents lodged with the NSW Planning Panel, Uniting state the current pitch has been “informed by years of negotiation with Waverley Council”.

Plans describe Uniting Waverley development as a “State-of-the-Art (sic) and modernised facility” that would consider the site’s “existing heritage values”.

“The proposed redevelopment of the Subject Site (sic) is a rare opportunity to rejuvenate a landmark urban site, which would … deliver much needed housing and services and create a new vibrant and diverse community hub,” plans state.

Site of Uniting Waverley (outlined in red). Source: Six Maps.

In a statement, the director of Property and Housing at United, Simon Furness, added the proposed development would “restore and enhance” the Uniting Waverley estate.

“Uniting has been providing community health and aged care services in Waverley for over 100 years,” he said.

Mr Furness said the redevelopment proposal addresses a “growing need” for more aged care and independent living in the area.

“This is in line with the Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations, allowing older people to age in place, with amenities that will allow them to maintain their independence while giving them support and care in their own community, close to family and friends,” he said.

Drawing of Waverley’s heritage lawn. Supplied by United Waverley.

According to plans, the site forms part of a wider vision for the ‘Uniting War Memorial Hospital’ precinct.

If approved, there would be up to 114 rooms in the residential aged care facility. There would also be 230 independent living units.

This seniors housing would be split between multiple buildings. Some of the other buildings on the site would be used for physiotherapy and one would be a morgue.

Three hundred and seventy five construction jobs are expected to be created by the development.

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