Anglicare to build more than 300 retirement units in Brisbane

A chronic shortage of residential aged care facilities in Brisbane is being addressed by the construction of more than 300 new units by Anglicare Southern Queensland (SQ).

Anglicare SQ Executive Director Karen Crouch said the Australian population was growing at a remarkable rate, with a significant number of people entering retirement in the coming years.

“In Australia, there are 455,000 Australians aged over 85, this figure is predicted to exceed 1.6 million by 2044,” she said. “There is already a shortage of these facilities nationally and Anglicare is seeking to turn the tide with these important projects. “We are proud to be providing even more opportunities for aged care services, which will assist families in supporting their loved-ones, and also deliver a community asset that will help attract new families to the northern Brisbane region.”

Symes Grove, Taigum

The $125 million redevelopment at Anglicare’s Symes Grove campus at Taigum in Brisbane’s north was launched during a breaking of the ground ceremony on 4 May officiated by Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. Anglicare has partnered with The Village Retirement Group to build 280 new independent living units, a new community centre, new lounge facilities and a refurbished chapel.

Anglicare also plans to redevelop the existing Symes Grove aged care facility at a cost of $25 million, ensuring residents are provided with best practice services.

EM Tooth, Manly

An upgrade to the EM Tooth residential aged care facility will add an additional 42 beds, increasing overall capacity to 101 beds. This development is proposed to include the additional 42 new beds with ensuites, dining rooms and lounge rooms in addition to the refurbishment of the existing 59 rooms to reflect a modern standard appropriate for ‘high care’ living.

The existing dementia courtyard and patio area will also be refurbished in addition to the construction of a new kitchen and laundry. Work is expected to commence on this project in the coming months.