7 Sept 2007 - St Joseph’s Aged Care Facility Expansion Gets Go-Ahead

St Joseph's Residential Aged Care Facility in Coffs Harbour has been given development consent by Coffs Harbour City Council for the construction of a residential care facility for 54 seniors.

The new development, which will bring the total number of beds in the facility to 110, will be located at the rear of the existing Azalea Avenue complex, with frontage to Pitt Street.

"The expansion of the St Joseph's Aged Care facility is an efficient and positive development that will provide improved services for aged residents," said Councillor Gavin Smithers, Vice Chair of the Land Use, Health and Development Committee.

"Coffs Harbour's population is forecast to be increasing considerably over the coming decades, and our city is especially attractive to older people. Facilities such as this one will answer a vital and growing need among seniors who can no longer live in their own home," he said.

The development has an estimated value of $9.5million. Four dwellings in Pitt Street will be demolished to make way for the facility, with demolition and site preparation expected to start before the end of this year.

The proposal will extend the existing facility, which currently provides low-level assisted care to 56 persons (including 28 beds allocated for dementia-specific care) with a further 54 places low-care places.

St Joseph's is run by Catholic Healthcare, and the Greengate Property Group will be undertaking the development at the aged care facility, which is targeted for completion in late 2008.

"Catholic Healthcare and Greengate are very excited at the recent approval for the expansion of the St Joseph's facility," said Pascal Bobillier, Development Manager of the Greengate Property Group.

"In addition to the impending refurbishments works in the existing building, the new wing at St Joseph's will allow Catholic Healthcare to continue providing quality accommodation and care to the seniors population of Coffs Harbour," he said.

Council received no objections to the development application, which met all the requirements and was put on public exhibition in May this year.