Seniors Housing & Healthcare Trends

LOS ANGELES: A new era of multipurpose, multiple use community care centres is starting to emerge.

An organisation’s new headquarters will help more than 7000 people when it opens alongside a school and homes.

New images show how the headquarters for the Multiple Sclerosis Centre, and 85 homes will take shape when 5.9 hectares of land at Lidcombe is developed.

The Planning Department proposes to rezone the land at Betty Cuthbert Drive for MS Plus — a non-profit organisation that supports people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological problems — and 85 homes for seniors, singles and families.

A school is also part of the project.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said the government was chipping in $16m towards the MS centre and would provide a land grant for the organisation at the site.

On Monday, construction of the MS health, wellbeing and accommodation started at the site, which is already permitted under existing land zoning.

“The new facility will replace our existing complex, helping to transform the lives of the 7682 people living with MS in NSW as well as many people with other neurological conditions, especially in Sydney’s west,’’ MS Plus chief executive John Blewonski said.

“It will provide a comprehensive suite of services in the one place to meet our clients’ physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs – focusing on their total wellbeing so they can feel empowered to manage their condition and achieve their goals.”

Mr Roberts said the homes would be medium-density that reflected the neighbouring residences in Botanic Estate and Betty Cuthbert Drive.

“It’s a great example of how the government is working with partners to improve housing supply across NSW by identifying under-utilised government-owned land,” he said.

Lidcombe is a booming suburb. In October, the government pledged $7.6m of WestInvest funding for Cumberland Council to use towards a makeover for Joseph and Bridge streets where 800sq m of landscaping, dozens of trees, expanded footpaths, street furniture and larger dining areas will spruce up the suburb’s centre.

The council will also contribute $2.8 million towards the Lidcombe Town Centre High Street Activation project.

The part of Lidcombe under the Parramatta local government area there is also a push for the government to deliver stage two of the light rail and serve residents to move to the Carter Street development.

Betty Cuthbert Drive was named in honour of the former Australian multi-Olympic gold medallist sprinter Betty Cuthbert, who was a tireless advocate and fundraiser for those living with MS and who died from the disease in 2017.