We are BASScare (Boroondara Aged Services Society) and have a long history in providing community and aged care services.

There is generally an undersupply of retirement living and residential aged care in the area, and an ageing population. The unoccupied Rochester Rd site presents an opportunity to address this need.

We are proposing a retirement living and residential aged care development with integrated community amenities. The proposal will enable future residents to “age in place” and continue to provide services to the community that BASScare is well known for.

The draft masterplan proposes:

• 45 residential aged care suites
• 60 to 65 retirement apartments being a mix of, 2 and 3 bedrooms
• 5 downsizer town homes of 3 bedrooms.
• Approximately 1850 sqm of public community space
• Approximately 1000 sqm of residential community space
• Community amenities such as a café, grocer, community hall, activity rooms, cinema, salon, physio, exercise rooms, gym, pool, spa, sauna, craft workshop, and art studio

Ample off street parking is proposed as part of the development with approximately 30% more parking than required by planning minimums.

The proposed redevelopment at Rochester Road is not our first large development. We have delivered major residential aged care and retirement living developments within the City of Boroondara including Hester Canterbury, 9 Chatham Rd, Canterbury and Morgan Glen Iris, 14 Elizabeth Street, Glen Iris.

During August and September 2024, feedback on the draft masterplan was gathered through a public webinar and community drop-ins to inform a planning submission to the City of Boroondara.

Our in-house development team, along with our specialist architects and planners, have actively participated in this engagement process.

The following is a summary of the top 10 themes from the community comments raised during our drop-in days:

1. Parking and Traffic Concerns – We received questions on parking availability for residents, visitors and staff. Concerns were raised about potential changes to onstreet parking and overflow management.

2. Design and Aesthetics: We received requests for detailed plans of the landscape and urban design between buildings, particularly the space between buildings 3 and 4, and concerns about the visual bulk of the north-facing elevation.

3. Opportunities for the Local Community: We received interest in the scale of the additional residential aged care facilities and integrating community use into the proposed development, including ideas to expand the proposed pool facilities.

4. Architectural and Elevation Details: Community members requested more details on building elevations, specifically the North boundary and clarification on potential impacts on nearby properties.

5. Pedestrian and Cyclist Connectivity: Suggestions were made for new bike and pedestrian paths linking Rochester Road to Shrublands Creek Reserve, whilst we also heard concerns about potential increased pedestrian and cycle movements on Vaughan Avenue.

6. Flooding and Drainage: We received questions about the potential risk of flooding due to the development, specifically regarding the existing barrel drain running through Shrublands Reserve.

7. Noise and Privacy: There were concerns over noise from the new development, and how this would compare with the quieter Hester Canterbury development. Questions about privacy, especially overlooking from new apartment buildings into nearby properties illustrated concerns with privacy.

8. Health Services: There was interest in including a medical clinic for general practitioners (GPs) in the development, with inquiries on how many GPs could be accommodated on-site as well as other potential future tenants.

9. Impact on Property Values: Some community members worried about how the new development could affect nearby property values, including changes to pedestrian crossings and the overall neighbourhood infrastructure. Others showed interest in how the land-lease model would work at BASScare.

10. Construction and Timeline: Users of the current BASScare facility had concerns about community access to facilities during demolition and reconstruction, with a request to retain existing multi-purpose spaces.

The next stage will involve reviewing and revising our concept plans based on your feedback and our ongoing engagement with Council, agencies and our detailed discussions with nearby properties.

Later in 2024, BASScare will submit a formal planning application to the City of Boroondara. Prior to submitting an application for Planning Permit for the redevelopment, the project team will also further investigate matters raised during this engagement.

These will include, but not be limited to:

1. Undertaking further detailed design on proposed northern elevations; the design of landscaping and treatment of any balconies and potential for overlooking and ensure design minimises visual impact.

2. Confirming the proposed onsite carparking and vehicle access is designed in a manner that is fit for purpose for the intended uses, and that impact to on-street parking is minimised.

3. Investigating opportunities for increased public access to Shrublands Reserve via bicycle and pedestrian access through or behind our site.

4. Confirm which measures the facility will employ to minimise noise during operation, including from ancillary uses, vehicle access, and its daily operations.

5. Further investigate urban design and landscape planning for the ground level area between buildings 3 and 4 to create a safe and attractive space.

6. Further investigate the architecture of the main buildings to minimise visual bulk. Once we’ve made updates to the concept plans, we will return to the community to demonstrate how your input has helped shape the project.