JAPARA LEADS WAY IN SURGE OF AGED-CARE
Healthcare providers are planning a string of projects for the elderly across the Gold Coast with Japara setting the pace with a facility in Robina
CONSTRUCTION has started on a new $30 million aged-care facility in Robina — the first of a number on the drawing board.
Listed aged-care provider Japara Healthcare is creating the 106-bed facility on Scottsdale Drive, with plans to open the centre in mid-2019.
The facility is Japara’s first Gold Coast project.
Japara bought the 4719sq m site last year for more than $5.5 million.
It forecasts that the centre will create 185 full-time jobs during construction and 125 jobs when the facility opens.
Japara Healthcare CEO Andrew Sudholz said Robina was chosen due to its central location.
“The site provided Japara with a rare opportunity to secure a parcel of land in an area of significant demand, with proximity to major infrastructure, such as Robina Town Centre and Robina’s health precinct – including public and private hospitals,” Mr Sudholz said.
“The Robina facility includes an alfresco rooftop entertaining area, making the most of the city’s enviable climate and giving residents ample outdoor space for them and their families to enjoy.
“The building design also incorporates an abundance of natural light, and includes sustainable energy solutions such as solar power and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.”
Upon completion, the six-level facility will have a floor area of 6696sq m, with suites up to 40sq m.
Robina Group general manager Hylton Slater said Japara Healthcare’s project shows there is healthy demand for developmentready sites in Robina.
“Approved development-ready sites in central Gold Coast City are rare, and this parcel of land provides a unique opportunity for the developer with its proximity to retail, medical and public transport services,” Mr Slater said.
“We have also been fielding inquiries for the adjoining approved parcel of land, from complementary operators and other mixed-use developers wishing to complete the popular Easy T Precinct.”
The adjoining 4719sq m site which is for sale on Scottsdale Drive is approved for a range of uses under the Robina Central Planning Agreement.
It is also neighbouring the Easy T Centre, which is anchored by Spano’s IGA and features 30 specialty stores and a medical centre. The centre sold recently for $35.8 million to a Gold Coast retail investor.
Aged-care providers are planning a string of projects on the Gold Coast.
They include an 11-level “vertical village” put forward by Aura Holdings for Kirra’s Golden Four Drive and a 130-bed home by the Gold Coast Jewish Foundation for the Aged on an Arundel site. Agedcare giant Aveo Group is also due to begin work on a 16-storey retirement tower in Labrador before Christmas.
In an ASX update in March, Japara said it expects FY18 pre-tax earnings to be below the previous year’s by 14 to 19 per cent.