IRT Group has submitted a development application for a $65 million redevelopment of its Towradgi retirement village.
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The Murranar Road property was originally developed by IRT in the early 1970s and previously featured a residential aged care centre which was vacated in 2015 when its residents moved to the new IRT Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre.
The new village will be renamed Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach and boasts a street front cafe, general store, 81 homes, including 25 villas, 24 villa-style apartments and 32 apartments with a mix of two and three bedrooms.
Read more: IRT reports loss after a challenging year
Chief executive Patrick Reid said the plans delivered industry-leading ageing-in-place housing.
"We realise what people want as they enter their later years is changing and we are committed to ensuring our retirement villages are designed for older Australians to age in place and maintain their independence for longer," he said.
"Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach will be a tailor-made community that meets the changing needs of older Australians so that their new home with us will be their home for life.
"Each villa and apartment has been designed to support ageing in place. For example, bathrooms and kitchens have been fitted out with modern and safe fixtures and fittings, appliances will be installed at easy-to-reach heights and trip hazards have been minimised throughout. Some homes will also have live-in care adaptability with an attached garage that has been specifically designed to be easily converted to carer's accommodation should the need arise."
The DA includes greenspace throughout the village where monthly markets could be held. There is also space for veggie gardens and the resident clubhouse will have a multipurpose second storey for community, medical and allied health services.
Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach will be built to a dementia-friendly design.
Mr Reid said the lodgement of the DA followed a comprehensive collaboration process with existing residents, neighbours and other interested community members. He said the redevelopment project was temporarily put on hold last year as IRT adapted to the impacts of COVID-19. But work on the master plan resumed late in 2020 and was presented to the community in March and April this year.
Mr Reid said the DA was now subject to assessment by the Southern Regional Planning Panel and Wollongong City Council is then expected to place the DA on exhibition for public viewing.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
