LDK proposes $143 million aged care facility on the edge of Yarralumla

Aged care provider LDK Healthcare is planning a major new centre near Yarralumla that will accommodate hundreds of residents and aims to be a seniors hub modelled on its Tuggeranong facility, Greenway Views.

It has lodged a Works Approval application with the National Capital Authority for a $143 million development on 5.4 hectares of designated land off the Cotter Road that used to be home to a motel and is bordered by horse paddocks.

It plans to build 55 single-storey two to three-bedroom villas/townhouses, 261 one to three-bedroom units across four buildings up to five storeys high with basement level car parking, 11 high-care rooms, and a Care Hub and associated clubhouse with facilities for the community.

LDK, which is still completing stages of its Greenway project, hopes to start construction early next year.

In 2015, the NCA agreed to allow a retirement village on the site and a 99-year-lease for that purpose.

LDK developed a Master Plan as far back as 2014, but this has been scaled back somewhat for this proposal, dubbed Yarralumla Community, although the site next to Equestrian Park is officially Blocks 1151 and 864 in the District of Weston Creek.

The site is also near the Yarralumla Woolshed and Government House. Across Cotter Road is the suburb of Curtin.

LDK plans to meet the growing demand for aged care services as the city ages, and its vision is for ageing in place and continuing care so residents will never have to move again.

All levels of care will be provided to residents in their homes, including full palliative care.

Sales are expected to bring more than $300 million.

LDK says the development will generate about 120 jobs in aged care, nursing, hospitality and associated services.

The application says the multi-storey buildings are to be situated in the northern and central sections of the site, and the one storey townhouses/villas at the rear.

The aim is to have the apartments clustered around resident amenities such as movie theatres, hairdressers, cafes, gyms and community spaces.

“This will promote accessibility and facilitate much needed social interactions for this less mobile cohort of aged care residents,” the proposal says.

A central landscaped pedestrian plaza is planned at the heart of the buildings to enable easy access between buildings and provide a large outdoor amenity for residents.

A landscaped linear park is also proposed along the entire eastern side of the site where large trees will be planted.

Although some trees will need to be removed, a quality tree on the site will be retained and protected, along with many others.

An internal road network and driveways will provide access for vehicles around the site, and there will be on-street and basement parking for residents, staff and visitors totalling 504 spaces.

Boundary setbacks have been increased from the Master Plan to address bushfire safety concerns, and LDK is seeking to expand the existing management regime of the precinct to ensure protection measures are aligned for all surrounding sites.

Parts of the site are contaminated with asbestos and will have to be remediated under a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) completed late last year.

The site does not contain environmental, heritage or Indigenous values under the provisions of the EPBC Act.

Public consultation is open until 17 September. To learn more, visit the NCA website.