$60M Aged Care Development In Inner West Approved By State

A $60 million retirement and aged care residency in Drummoyne has been granted state approval to begin development.

Located on Lyons Road next to the Parramatta River, Harbourside will deliver 54 independent living units and a two-bed aged care hub, allowing older Australians to live in the same home with dignity and connection, even after they begin to need external support as they age. It’s also hoped that the project will improve public access to the waterfront, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the boundaries of the community alone.

The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment granted development consent for the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) less than a year after it was submitted.

The milestone comes after months of close collaboration between faith-based, housing and community service Scalabrini Communities, the City of Canada Bay Council and the Department of Planning, ensuring the project delivers long-term benefits for Drummoyne while respecting the needs of local residents.

Since the beginning of the project, Scalabrini Communities have committed to working openly and constructively with Council and the Department to address concerns and incorporate feedback, with arising issues being met with solutions that meet regulatory requirements, and also create better outcomes for the community.

“We’ve worked hand in hand with Council to resolve every concern and find solutions that are fair, practical and positive,” said Richard de Haast, CEO of Scalabrini Communities.

“This has been a genuine partnership — one where everyone’s input has helped shape a development that will serve Drummoyne for generations while also respecting the needs of today’s community. It’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared goal of building something lasting and meaningful.”

Connected, active “aging in place” care 

This week’s approval signals confidence not only in the project itself, but also in the collaborative way it’s been shaped. Scalabrini say that through early engagement, careful listening and adjusting plans where needed, they have been able to demonstrate that development can be both ambitious and considerate, balancing progress with protection of community values.

More than one in five residents in the City of Canada Bay are aged 60 years or older, with forecasts indicating that in the decade between 2021 and 2031, the proportion of the population at retirement age will increase by 27.5%.

Scalabrini Communities have committed to continuous work alongside residents throughout the process, with effort being made to minimise inconvenience and keep the community fully informed through the construction stages.

“We understand that large projects can cause temporary challenges, but our focus is on communication, respect and partnership,” de Haast said. “Our vision is for Harbourside to be something that the whole community is proud of, and that means continuing to listen, engage and respond at every stage.”