Brisbane is experiencing significant growth and demographic change, notably an increasing aging population. Looking ahead, many older Brisbane residents might face challenges in finding suitable housing that meets their evolving needs. Recognizing this, Brisbane City Council is proactively implementing initiatives to encourage the development of new retirement living and aged care accommodations. This forward-thinking approach aims to ensure that residents have diverse options to remain within their familiar local communities throughout their later life stages.
Streamlining Aged Care Development Approvals
The Brisbane City Council has revised the Brisbane City Plan 2014 to simplify the process for constructing, expanding, or upgrading aged care and retirement facilities. This “Retirement and aged care amendments package” offers a more efficient pathway for development approvals, particularly in designated priority locations. By streamlining these processes, the council aims to incentivize the creation of modern, best-practice aged care facilities in areas where they are most needed.
Broader Initiatives to Support Aged Care Growth
Beyond the planning amendments, Brisbane City Council is undertaking several complementary initiatives to foster the growth of the aged care sector. These include:
- Integrating Age-Friendly Considerations in Neighbourhood Plans: Ensuring that the needs of older residents are carefully considered during the drafting and updates of local neighbourhood plans. This proactive approach helps create communities that are more accessible and supportive for seniors.
- Infrastructure Charge Reductions: Offering financial incentives by reducing infrastructure charges for qualifying aged care and retirement facility developments. This measure directly lowers development costs, making projects more financially viable and encouraging increased supply. This is a key component of the Aged Care Incentive Program.
- Improving Development Assessment Efficiency: Optimizing and accelerating the development assessment processes specifically for aged care facilities. Faster approvals reduce project timelines and contribute to a more responsive and efficient development environment.
Ensuring a Secure Future for Brisbane’s Seniors
With the demand for retirement and aged care housing projected to surge by 50% by 2027, these combined initiatives are crucial to expanding the supply of appropriate housing options. Brisbane’s aged care incentive program is designed to enable residents to comfortably retire within their own suburbs and maintain their community connections.
These strategic efforts will not only guarantee an adequate number of retirement and aged care facilities across Brisbane but also prioritize superior design standards. The goal is to foster facilities that are seamlessly integrated into local communities and co-located with essential amenities, such as community centers. Every Brisbane suburb has a vital role to play in collectively addressing the housing and care needs of our aging population.
Contact for Further Information
For more detailed information about Brisbane’s initiatives or to provide feedback, please:
- Call Council at 07 3403 8888
- Email the Strategic Planning team at [email protected]
