To create a vibrant retirement community where older residents in the local catchment can find companionship and community, Scalabrini is proposing to renew Scalabrini Village.
The purpose of the renewal is to provide a true continuum of care where people aged over 78 can age in place in purpose-built accommodation, where services and care can meet their changing needs. This means that each resident could receive the equivalent of residential age care service delivery in their own apartments as they age in place and their needs grow.
To facilitate the renewal, Scalabrini is seeking a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to create Harbourside by Scalabrini. The Proposal seeks the redevelopment of the site for seniors housing accommodation across two buildings:
- 'Piacenza' — located closest to the water and currently four storeys, to be redeveloped to six storeys containing 27 independent living units (ILUs).
- 'Como' — located closest to St Georges Crescent and currently six storeys, to be redeveloped to seven storeys containing:
- 24 Missional Apartments: low-cost rental homes targeting local residents of a migrant background who do not have the financial means to purchase seniors housing;
- 40 ILUs; and
- two residential care facility (RCF) beds integrated within the Care Hub.
The Proposal also includes landscaping, rooftop terraces, connections between the two buildings and a café for residents.
In August 2025, Scalabrini obtained a SSDA to reconfigure the site – with alterations mainly focused on internal modifications to modernise the buildings for future use. However detailed feasibility and design work revealed that refurbishing the existing buildings would not have future proofed the site in terms of economic viability, compliance, and the delivery of a continuum of care model for residents to could age in place.
Concurrent to this work, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure introduced new provisions to encourage development in well located areas.
The decision was made to revisit the masterplan to ensure it could meet the needs of future residents and also deliver mission on site. As a result, a modern renewal is now proposed that will include 24 low-cost rental apartments, targeting local residents of a migrant background who do not have the financial means to purchase seniors housing.
YOU ARE INVITED!!
You are invited to our Community Drop- In Session, where you can meet the team, ask questions and provide your feedback.
Saturday 12th September 11am – 1pm
The session is designed for people to attend at any time during the two hour window, and have personal conversations with the project team and their technical experts.
The proposal will be utilising the seniors housing bonus provisions, under section 87 of the Housing SEPP which allow for an additional 3.8 m of height above the maximum permissible building height for the purpose of seniors housing.
The height proposed for the Como building is seven. This is a two storey increase from the existing approval and will be compliant due to the height plan and bonus requirements. Piacenza is proposed to be six storeys, which is a 2.5 storey increase from its existing approval. This will also will be compliant due to the height plan and bonus requirements.
In 2021, 3,520 people aged 65 and over lived in Drummoyne and Rodd Point, comprising 19.2% of the population and exceeding the Greater Sydney average of 15.2%. This cohort is projected to increase by 42%, by 2041 with a further 1,480 older residents anticipated locally and 7,151 across the City of Canada Bay.
The Proposal delivers 91 homes, including 24 Missional Apartments provided as low-cost rental housing. At full occupancy the development would accommodate a small proportion of the projected local increase, and a smaller proportion again of the increase across the local government area.
The site is well serviced and located close to shops, public transport and health services including Balmain Hospital. Delivering additional seniors living in this location makes use of established infrastructure and existing service networks.
The renewal will facilitate Scalabrini’s industry-leading model of providing a genuine ‘continuum of care once residents move in. This model allows Scalabrini to support residents’ planned and unplanned care needs in place.
Scalabrini passionately believe that their residents, along with their families, should always have full empowerment and control of their choices and their decisions.
The site renewal will allow Scalabrini to continue delivering its continuum of care in a more contemporary, integrated care and accommodation model. This will include for the exclusive use of the residents:
- Independent living
- Low care through to palliation care provided in their apartment, or in the care hub specialist rooms on-site
- Palliative and end of life care provided in their apartment, or in the care hub specialist rooms on-site
- Private short term respite care in one of the care hub specialist rooms
- Care for people with cognitive impairment including dementia
- A comprehensive activity and lifestyle programme for the enjoyment of their residents
- Care workers on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Provision of meals, cleaning, personal and care support provided in their apartment, or in specialist rooms on-site
- On-site café operating 7 days/week for the exclusive use of all site residents.
The care hub rooms have been designed to incorporate ‘Dementia Enabling Environment Principles’ in accordance with guidelines published by Dementia Australia and represent industry leading residential aged care room design and operation.
The continuum of care means that each resident could receive the equivalent of residential age care service delivery in their own apartments as they age in place and their needs grow.
Scalabrini is seeking approval from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) through the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) process.
1. We are here
As part of the SSDA process, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared. The studies contained in the EIS investigate any potential impacts the proposal will have, and recommends mitigation measures.
Feedback from stakeholders and the community is captured in an Outcomes Report, and submitted as part of the EIS.
2. Lodgement of the EIS & Public Exhibition
After lodging the SSDA, DPHI will publicly exhibit the proposal. During this time, the community can make formal submissions.
3. Determination
DPHI reviews the EIS and public submissions and makes a determination. This can take between 9 -12 months
4. Approval
If the proposal is approved, construction is anticipated to begin no earlier than the end of 2027, with residents moving in during 2030
Scalabrini is committed to keeping the community informed as the project progresses. Scalabrini have commissioned Calli Brown Communications to collect your feedback and provide further information about the project.
Please feel free to reach out to the team on:
- 1800 722 522
- harbourside.enquiries@scalabrini.com.au