Aged care in Green Square

Anglican Retirement Villages is the developer putting forward the plan for a vertical retirement village at Green Square – the first of its kind, providing accommodation for people over 65. “It is close to the city, close to transport, health care and other amenities,” says Kristina Keneally, Minister for Ageing and Disability Services. The vertical village would help cater for the ageing population. Ms Keneally says the number of people over 65 is set to double in NSW over the next 25 years. “Housing that suits the needs of an ageing population in a town centre close to transport and other services is a really important part of supporting people as they grow older.”  

Paul Andersen from Landcom says the only concerns are transport and general affordability, but so far the proposed development has met with little opposition. Ms Keneally says the location at Green Square means it is close to amenties. “There are several bus routes that run past, as well as the Green Square Station up the road, and it’s part of the arterial road network.”

The vertical village is a development strictly targeted at older people. Ms Keneally says services such as in-house support, or medical care are available to “support people to age in a community in which they are living”.

The proposed village has been designed keeping in mind the specific needs of seniors. “Lifts of course are essential to any vertical apartment,” says Ms Keneally. “There are other features of the apartment that might not be immediately recognisable that would certainly be in place to support people as they age – so, wider doorways, bathrooms and kitchens that are designed in such a way that they can be wheelchair accessible, light switches, and a whole range of features which are in fact easily adaptable to someone should they require a walking frame or a wheelchair.” 

The project will be part of the Green Square town centre set to be developed on Botany Road in July 2008.

Photo: Labor Party - Caption: Kristina Keneally and Frank Sartor with …  

Source: South Sydney Herald November 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au