West Mackay Ozcare senior aged care facility to launch huge expansion
An organisation hopes to bring new accommodation, shops and a community hub to a Mackay suburb it has specifically identified as best suited for its ambitious plans. FIND OUT WHICH SUBURB
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New accommodation, shopping, food outlets and more are coming to West Mackay as an aged centre launches a huge expansion in two ambitious stages.
The Ozcare St Elizabeth Villa Aged Care facility will be adding an additional 86 units and communal facilities in a new development on Lansdowne Rd covering an area of approximately 85,270 square metres.
The new development seeks to meet the demand for senior housing in West Mackay, of which residents aged 65 and over are one of the largest demographics and comes comes after staff accommodation was approved in February 2024 and the initial St Elizabeth Villa was completed in 2020.
Ozcare found that between 2020 and 2023 housing prices in Mackay increased by over 20 per and weekly rents by over 30 per cent, while rental vacancy remained at 0.5 per cent.
An economic and community needs analysis compiled by Ozcare found that in total there were only 60 residential properties available for rent in Mackay, with only three located in West Mackay.
Stage 1 aims to tackle the bulk of construction, delivering 32 units in two apartment buildings, 21 duplexes and 18 townhouses north of the existing St Elizabeth Villa.
A community hub containing a cafe, hair salon, physiotherapist, health clinic and a gym will sit between the two apartment buildings.
Outside of the community hub and apartments will be a new neighbourhood of 39 duplexes and townhouses accessible by roads and footpaths running through green spaces and a small park.
Ozcare stated its intent is to open up the neighbourhood to the broader public by creating a shared space, not exclusively for resident use.
“These activities can be used by residents and the public, fostering social interaction,” Ozcare wrote.
Stage 2 will build another 15 units on the other side of St Elizabeth Villa, south of the separately proposed location for new staff accommodation.
“The proposal seeks to contribute to the supply of additional seniors’ housing in West Mackay,” Ozcare wrote.
“It will help ensure residents can remain close to friends and family while still receiving the level of care they require throughout the later stages in life.”
Ozcare expects that ageing residents already living in West Mackay will transition from their family homes to the new site B development and then to the aged care accommodation at Site A when they require more care.
The retirement facility and community hub will be accessible via a road extension from the Northern End of Anastasia street, whereas access to Site B will be achieved via the construction of a 6.2m two-way road which has already been approved as part of the staff accommodation development.
Site A will include 47 car parks for visitors and nonresidents and 114 car parks for residents and the proposed new accommodation will generate 83 trips daily during peak hour, but this is not expected to significantly impact the surrounding road network.
The entire area is bordered by a rail corridor, however Ozcare believes that building a continuous solid gap-free structure or balustrade on upper floor balconies, podiums and roof decks should mitigate any extreme noise pollution.
Ozcare submitted their proposal to the Mackay Regional Council on June 25 and are currently awaiting approval.
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Originally published as West Mackay Ozcare senior aged care facility to launch huge expansion
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