A new aged care centre at Williams Landing will help accommodate Wyndham’s growing ageing population, a councillor says.
Wyndham council’s disability, ageing and inclusion portfolio-holder Michele Wharrie has welcomed the sale of land by developers Cedar Woods to build a new $35 million aged care home for up to 120 residents.
Cr Wharrie said there was a shortage of aged care and retirement facilities across the western suburbs.
The new centre, to be owned and operated by Queensland-based retirement home company TriCare, will help cater for Wyndham’s ageing population and people moving there, or close by, to be closer to their families.
Cedar Woods state manager Nathan Blackburne said the new centre plan supported the company’s vision for Williams Landing.
“Its location in the town centre enables easy access for families and allows residents to remain active in the walkable Williams Landing community,” he said.
TriCare director Peter O’Shea said the company chose Williams Landing because of its easy access by public transport and its amenities.
“The Williams Landing town centre offers a number of obvious benefits for an aged care facility in western Melbourne, including a developing community and great public transport connectivity to the Melbourne CBD and surrounding areas,” he said.
The company owns and manages nine retirement villages and 15 residential aged care centres in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Construction of the Williams Landing aged care centre will start midway through next year.
Mr O’Shea says the plans also include future stages, enabling the centre to double in size in coming years.
According to a Wyndham council study of the region’s demographics, a 133 per cent increase in people of retirement age is anticipated over the next 20 years.
Other projects
Other projects in the works for Williams Landing include expansion of the shopping centre: an additional 1200 square metres of ground floor retail space.
A new 106-place childcare centre will also be built, and construction of 57 one and two- bedroom apartments is under way.
Wyndham council recently gave the green light to a $5.7 million sports reserve, which will feature two full-size ovals, six tennis courts and a playground.
As well, a new parking lot offering an extra 300 spots for people commuting from Williams Landing train station opened up last month.
