A $50-MILLION expansion of John Paul Village at Heathcote will make it the biggest residential aged care home in Sutherland Shire.
The residential aged care centre is one of the largest employers in the Heathcote and Engadine area, with 270 staff, and the expansion could create another 25 jobs.
The village was built in 1985 and has 190 residential care places and 167 independent living units with 240 people.
The new development will be built in four stages.
The first stage will almost double its dementia care beds from 50 to 95 and provide an extra 32 car parking spaces.
The dementia ward, in the north wing, will be increased from one to three levels, with a new kitchen and laundry in the basement.
John Paul Village residents relations manager Megan Parnaby said the expansion was based on government forward figures which showed national dementia cases would increase from 257,000 in 2010 to a predicted 981,000 in 2050, with the growth rate expected to peak between 2021 and 2030.
Stage one should be completed within two years and the development is expected to be completed in six.
Existing buildings will then be upgraded to reflect federal government reforms to aged care.
These aim to break down the barriers between high and low care, allowing residents to age in one place.
Stage three will include a cafe for 50 and adds 65 new basement car parking spaces.
John Paul Village, which is a not-for-profit organisation, has lodged its development application with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure as a state-significant development.
Village management held a community meeting with surrounding residents on July 30 to discuss the expansion.
Chief executive Will Somerville said residents' main concerns over extra traffic should be addressed by the new entry to the village in Wilson Parade, taking traffic flow pressures off The Avenue.
This will be the entry for the village's 270 staff and for trucks during building.
"This plan is a common good for the community and will help us improve service for our residents by providing a very modern home," Mr Somerville said.
"There is a big waiting list and this expansion will help to ease this.
"It also means parents can stay in the area rather than having to move away for aged care."
What do you think of the plan for John Paul Village at Heathcote?
Details: johnpaulvillage.com.au
