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