A proposed $60 million development at Gisborne aims to introduce apartment-style aged care living by 2023.
The plan follows amalgamation of Macedon Ranges Health and Victorian aged care provider Benetas in 2018.
Benetas spokesperson Bruce Webb said diverse ageing services and retirement living in the region was particularly important considering population forecasts.
“Population in the region is expected to grow by 40 per cent in 15 years, and that will close to double for those aged over 80 years,” he said.
Building on the former hospital grounds 200m from the town centre, the facility would almost double the capacity for residents.
Apartment-style living is central to the model, which aims to provide a homelike environment, but the style has been heavily criticised in the past for not being in keeping with Gisborne town character.
Both Macedon Ranges Shire councillors and VCAT rejected plans for 10 townhouses and 18 apartments for Calthorpe Street in 2017, which were condemned for no consideration of context.
The development forms part of a four-stage plan that includes significant refurbishments of existing facilities and the extension of allied health and home-care services.
Plans will be available to view at the Macedon Ranges Health pop-up stores in August and are expected to go before council in September.
Pop-up stores will be held at Macedon Ranges Health, 5 Neal Street Gisborne, from 10am – 2pm Monday to Wednesday, August 19-21; and 10am – 2pm Thursday and Friday, August 29 and 30.
A further pop-up store will also be held at the Gisborne Market from 9am – 2pm on Sunday September 1.
