900-unit seniors community planned for regeneration site
MELBOURNE: An aged care provider is set to lodge plans for its first instalment in a major three-stage 1000-unit redevelopment.
Fresh Hope Communities plans to build dwellings at the site spanning 83-95 Pendle Way, 105 Pendle Way and 222-284 Dunmore St, where health and wellness facilities, and a basement carpark are also slated.
Stage 1 of the ambitious project will include 400 units across six buildings, the refurbishment of heritage-listed Ashwood House, and a cafe for residents, staff, and visitors.
Ashwood opened in 1938 and has provided care to residents requiring permanent, dementia- specific treatment and respite for 88 years.
Dunmore House will also be revamped for public use with an adjoining food and beverage service.
The masterplan also proposes public green spaces with a children’s playground, outdoor dining facilities, shade and public art.
Stage 1 of the plan is set to be lodged with the NSW Planning Department, which will ultimately approve or reject the proposal, classed as a state significant development application.
The plan is still being developed and refined before it is submitted to the government.
Stages 2 and 3 will be subjected to separate development applications and “not expected to proceed for many years”.
It will propose 774 dwellings, a 120-bed residential care facility with 20, Pathways Community Church, more than 15,000sq m of public space, neighbourhood shops, a childcare facility centre, wellness and community hubs including pool and gym, a library and a business and iInnovation hub.
In 2021, Cumberland Council endorsed the project and land was rezoned to R2 (private recreation and R4 (high density).
This week, Cumberland councillor Michael Zaiter welcomed the project which was close to public transport and designed to cater for an increase in density.
“I believe the area needed some decent aged care facilities for our older residents to be able to stay in the area in new and modern properties,’’ he said.
“Aside from that particular location, I don’t believe we have any nearby that are of substance or quality.’
The Planning Department will exhibit the plans after a development application is lodged to invite public feedback.
The site lies next to the former Bonds factory where plans for 1500 units and a supermarket have frozen after the collapse of building company Dyldam, which owns 80 per cent of the site. Property investor Tony Merhi owns the remainder.
“I would hope someone would buy that site and do something with it,’’ Mr Zaiter said.
“It’s not a good time to try and build with developers especially with Bathla collapsing.’’
Fresh Hope will host a community drop-in session on Wednesday at Redgum Function Centre, 2 Lane St, Wentworthville, between 5pm and 7pm.