A healthcare company has unveiled a multimillion-dollar redevelopment to boost Adelaide’s aged care capacity, ahead of further plans to upgrade another facility.
Bupa Aged Care has lodged plans for a massive $167 million redevelopment of its Morphettville facility, about 200m south of the racecourse, with planning documents now lodged with the state’s planning commission.
The massive project would transform the existing nursing home on Austral Tce into a five-storey residential facility, with 143 modern rooms and 16 independent living units – ranging from one to three bedrooms.
The revamp would create 59 extra rooms, bringing the total capacity to 143 residents compared to its current capacity of 84 residents.
Beyond the individual rooms, the facility would boast “vibrant and functional” amenities including a café, hairdressers, function room, consultation room, and visitor reception.
Residents would also have access to a rooftop terrace, and an activity room, and communal dining and lounge areas.
Bupa Villages and Aged Care Interim Managing Director Jayant Krishnan said the Morphettville redevelopment would “boost local aged care capacity”.
“Investments like this are critical to ensuring older Australians can access timely, affordable care rather than facing long waits or turning to hospitals as a last resort,” Mr Krishnan said.
“We’ve been part of the Morphettville community for decades and are proud to invest in a new home for the future, shaped by the consultation and feedback of our residents.”
The redevelopment was carefully planned, including its landscaping, to ensure residents it fitted in with the surrounding neighbourhood, Mr Krishnan said.
“Using their (residents) input, we’ve ensured the design includes lots of outdoor space, activity and gathering places throughout the home to create a place that feels like home.”
Mr Krishnan said their homes would remain operational when the redevelopment was under way, and aged care residents, their families and local residents would be kept up to date.
The healthcare company was also working on redeveloping its Bupa facility at Campbelltown, hoping the revamp will create more than 80 new homes.
The redevelopments came in anticipation of the state’s surge in demand for residential aged care.
The state’s active retiree cohort is expected to increase by 30% by 2051, and the proportion of the population aged 80-plus is expected to increase by 146% within that same period, planning documents say.
“This highlights the need for an increase in high-quality aged care facilities within the state.”
The project forms part of the healthcare company’s $500 million program to build and renew aged care homes across the country.
“Bupa acknowledges the work of the South Australian government to deliver planning reforms which support this exciting initiative,” Mr Krishnan said.
“(And), the Government’s ongoing focus to help older people access suitable aged care services and take pressure off the state’s hospital system.”