A nearly $37 million residential aged care home development in East Maitland has received the tick of approval from Maitland Council, and will now proceed to the regional planning panel.
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On Tuesday night, Maitland City councillors threw their support behind a development application at Martin Close which will see the demolition of an existing residential aged care facility and construction of a new one on the same site.
The existing development comprises a 60 bed residential aged care facility (RACF) originally built in 1984 which includes a large off-street car park, landscaping and separate entrance/egress via Martin Close.
The development seeks consent to construct a new 2-4 storey residential care facility that includes lower ground parking for 24 cars, 160 beds, eight respite beds, a family room, back of house areas, administration /offices and health and wellbeing areas.
It also seeks consent for the construction of a communal kitchen, dining and lounge areas, training areas, recreation areas, a community kitchen and ancillary café.
Labor councillor Ben Whiting praised the development application as "desperately needed by the community".
"We are not the consent authority here but it's worth commenting that I am very happy to see $37 million worth of investment in East Maitland," he said.
"It is a property that has reached a point where it's ready to be renewed .It's a service that is desperately needed by the community in a central area.
"I think everyone would like to see this proceed."
Four submissions were received and the issues raised included appropriate reuse of materials from the demolition, privacy/overlooking, noise and lighting impacts.
Liberal councillor Kanchan Ranadive added the development would bring an employment boost to the city.
"I am happy to see this development coming into the East Maitland area. [It's] something we need an investment of over $36 million dollars put into our city," she said.
"It's going to create more jobs for people in town."
The DA is required to be reported to the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel (HCCRPP) for determination on the basis that the estimated value of the development exceeds the $30 million threshold.
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