Redevelopment approved for IRT Culburra Beach Aged Care Centre

IRT Group has received development approval from Shoalhaven City Council for a staged redevelopment of IRT Culburra Beach Aged Care Centre, on the South Coast of NSW east of Nowra.

The redevelopment will see the construction of a new 26-suite wing on the vacant land north of the aged care centre, and refurbishment of existing buildings.

IRT Group CEO Patrick Reid says the redevelopment will ensure the living environment at IRT Culburra Beach continues to meet the needs of residents now and into the future.

“We’re committed to providing access to care and services that supports the dignity of our residents and recognises the contributions they have made to society,” Mr Reid said.

“It’s important to us that the changes we make now will support our residents in achieving their optimum quality of life.”

As part of this commitment IRT has held a number of resident collaborative design workshops to help shape plans for the outdoor landscaped areas of the site.

More than 15 residents attended the workshops in June where they shared ideas for the landscaped areas, how they’d like to spend time outdoors and potential issues to watch out for.

In the workshops residents said they would like lots of colour in the gardens, and to attract birds with plants, a feeder and a bird bath. They also suggested protected garden seating, in order to enjoy the outdoors and socialise with neighbours and visitors.

“We are really pleased with the turn out to the workshops. The residents were very engaged in the conversation and eager to contribute to the design. They’ve shared some really great ideas,” Mr Reid said.

More collaborative design workshops will be held with residents in the coming months to help inform the design of communal areas and care suites.

Best practice dementia friendly design principles are being applied to the development plans for IRT Culburra Beach to ensure residents can age in place with dignity. Technology is also being used to project the architectural plans to scale onto a warehouse floor to test and optimise how residents will interact with and enjoy the space. The rooms outlined on the warehouse floor are filled with beds, lounges, dining chairs and tables to experience how the space will feel and function once constructed.

Residents, their families and employees have also been consulted throughout the early planning phase to hear their ideas for the redevelopment and answer questions.

As part of IRT’s environmental commitment, a new habitat was created in conjunction with an expert zoologist for the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog known to be in the area. Work on the redevelopment will begin in 2020.

Find out more about IRT Group.