Urban Digest

IRT Plans $122m Seniors Living Redevelopment in Woonona

August 4, 2025

Street-level view of a modern seniors housing development with tiered landscaping, palm trees, and a heritage brick church in the centre.

A $122 million redevelopment is proposed for a longstanding aged care site in Woonona. IRT Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSD-73910208) to transform the site into a mixed seniors housing estate. The proposal, now on public exhibition from 29 July to 25 August 2025, aims to provide integrated care and independent living in one location.

Site and Context

The site at 4-6 Popes Road, Woonona, spans 2.92 hectares along the edge of Gahans Park and fronts Princes Highway. It currently accommodates the IRT Woonona retirement village, which has operated since the 1970s. After receiving Council approval in April 2024, IRT commenced demolition of older buildings including Ribbonwood, Blueberry Ash and the rectory.

The existing Flametree Residential Care Facility (RCF), Camelia Lodge independent units, and the heritage-listed Blue Gum Sanctuary church remain on-site. IRT intends to refurbish these structures while expanding housing capacity and support services.

Development Overview

The proposal includes five new apartment buildings with 98 independent living units (ILUs) and additional communal and wellness infrastructure:

Building A: 16 ILUs
Building B: 8 ILUs
Building C: 27 ILUs
Building D: 32 ILUs
Building E: 15 ILUs and the Social Wellness Centre

The project also proposes 182 basement and at-grade parking spaces, new internal roads, and enhanced landscaping. IRT will upgrade Flametree RCF and connect it to the new basement parking.

IRT also plans to adaptively reuse the Blue Gum Sanctuary church as a café and staff facility. This work aims to preserve the building’s architecture while introducing a new function.

Planning Strategy and Urban Design

The site is zoned R2 Low Density Residential and E3 Productivity Support under Wollongong LEP 2009. Seniors housing is permissible in both zones under the Housing SEPP, which provides additional allowances for height and floor space ratio. These provisions permit buildings up to 14.8 metres tall.

During the design phase, the team evaluated three massing options. They selected a four-storey height scheme to maintain a consistent scale and ensure design cohesion.

The design retains a view corridor from Woonona township to the escarpment and church. This principle, supported by Wollongong Council, shaped how the development integrates into the existing streetscape and public realm.

Artist impression by Calderflower

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The project team initiated engagement early in the design process. AMC Architecture prepared the initial masterplan, which informed consultation with Council and external agencies. Urbanac later refined the urban design.

IRT selected Edmiston Jones as lead architect through a competitive design process. Calderflower, with experience in aged care projects, contributed to the RCF upgrades and coordinated final plans.

The Wollongong Design Review Panel reviewed early design concepts. In response, the team incorporated a central pedestrian spine, improved park connections, and protected visual corridors.

Community engagement, led by BROOKS, included one-on-one meetings, letter distribution, and information sessions. This strategy aimed to inform the community, address heritage and construction concerns, and build trust through consistent communication.

Environmental, Social, and Heritage Considerations

The proposal outlines a landscape strategy and environmental management plan. IRT will preserve and enhance vegetation along Collins Creek’s riparian corridor. The project also includes flood mitigation, designed to manage Probable Maximum Flood events and comply with shelter-in-place guidelines.

The Visual Impact Assessment found that view impacts range from minimal to moderate and align with local development patterns. Supporting studies also addressed biodiversity, noise, and traffic impacts.

The proposed development promotes ageing in place by integrating ILUs with residential care facilities. IRT also plans to build a wellness centre and clubhouse to support social interaction. The church’s adaptive reuse is designed to maintain heritage values while introducing community use.

Economic and Strategic Justification

The project aligns with the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 and Wollongong Housing Strategy 2023. Both identify the need for more diverse, accessible housing for seniors.

IRT expects the redevelopment to generate 427 full-time equivalent construction jobs and 80 ongoing roles. During construction, it may add $98.5 million in value to the local economy. Once operational, it is projected to contribute $25.4 million annually.