An application for a major new residential aged care facility at Redbank Plains has been lodged with Ipswich City Council.
Bethany Christian Care wants to build 200 independent retirement living units and a 100-bed aged care facility on a 14.47 acre site at 245 School Road.
The site is next to Christian school Staines Memorial College.
Bethany Christian Care currently operates facilities at Eight Mile Plains, Manly West and Graceville.
According to the application, market research commissioned by Bethany Christian Care in 2016 revealed a need for the facility, with notable findings including:
- There is a substantial projected increase in people aged 65+ years in the catchment from 2015 to 2026 (over 12,000 more people);
- There are no existing and only one other planned aged care facility and retirement village in the Springfield-Redbank Plains-Ripley corridor, being the Aveo Springfield development;
- West Moreton Aged Care Planning Region is currently operating at a ratio of 60.8 which is significantly below the Australian Government’s 80.0 residential aged care places per 1,000 people over 70 years to be met by 2021-22;
- Even with the current identified pipeline stock coming online progressively to 2026, there is insufficient supply to meet demand within the catchment area.
If approved, the facility would be built over six stages with the first accommodation coming online from 2021.
Onsite resident services, including a cafe/small grocery store, salon/barber and a well-being consultation room are also proposed to support the development.
Bethany Christian Care plans to maintain strong connections with Staines Memorial College.
“The site was purchased by Bethany with a view to establishing an aged care facility co-located with Staines Memorial College, a prep to year 12 school, to encourage intergenerational exchange between the students and the elderly residents and to meet the substantial need in this western corridor,” the application notes.
“A strong working relationship exists between the Board and management of Bethany Christian Care and that of Christian Community Ministries Ltd, who own and operate Staines Memorial College.
“As the explanation of the proposal will show, the design provides pedestrian linkages between the school and the Community Hub and central open space/activities area.”
Council is considering the application.
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>> What you need to know about new school coming to Redbank Plains
