Regis Healthcare files plans for 11-storey aged-care facility development in Palm Beach

A PRIME piece of beachfront land formerly owned by Mick Doohan will be transformed into a modern tower with a purpose unlike any other, under newly unveiled plans.

The tower’s ground floor.

A PRIME piece of beachfront land formerly owned by Mick Doohan will be transformed into an 11-storey aged care facility under new plans lodged with the council.

Regis Healthcare wants to build a giant centre primarily tailored to higher care and dementia patients.

The 3304sq m Palm Beach site, which borders the ocean and Gold Coast Highway, will feature 177 units across 11 levels including 108 high-care bedrooms, 24 dementia care bedrooms and 45 high care suites.

COAST’S NEXT $1 BILLION DEVELOPMENT WAVE

An artist’s impression of the beachside retirement tower planned by Regis Healthcare.

However, the area’s councillor is pushing for Regis to include much-needed facilities for young people in need of higher-care.

“It is a great location looking out over the ocean and I do not know if there would be another facility like this on the Coast in such a good position,” Cr Daphne McDonald said.

“We are in desperate need for facilities which cater for young people and it would be great to have something tailored for young care.

THE COAST TOWER WHERE THE YOUNG CAN’T LIVE

Cr Daphne McDonald.

“I will certainly be pushing for this kind of facility on one of the floors and from our conversations they have previously been quite keen on the idea.”

The development application was filed last week and will be assessed by councillors this year.

The site sits across the road from Sunland’s Magnoli development, which will include townhouses and two 12-storey apartment towers .

GOLDEN OLDIES’ $3.5 BILLION BOOM

Mick Doohan previously owned the land.

The Regis projects would also include a cafe on the ground floor, library and administration area, outdoor courtyard and designated ambulance zone.

The dementia wing will be built on level 2 and will have a separate dining and lounge area.

Regis spent $12.1 million on the beachfront site last year, buying it from Doohan, who had once planned a tavern for land.

City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said council officers would closely assess the project.

“This is a major project for Palm Beach and one of many new developments planned for the area which are providing some urban renewal,” he said.

“Council officers will carefully assess this project and take into account any concern from residents.”