IRT to open Woonona aged care to public with restaurant in heritage church
IRT is building 93 homes and converting a heritage church into a public restaurant at Woonona, creating an integrated community.
Aged care provider IRT is changing Woonona Place. A heritage church is being turned into a public restaurant.
The project adds 93 new independent living units plus a health and wellness centre, pool, gym, and library. IRT CEO Ross Gallagher said the project is designed to keep retirement communities from becoming gated and isolated.
All the new facilities will be open to residents and the public. The project lets people age in place at Woonona longer before moving to the aged care home if needed.
The first sod was turned on Friday. IRT is receiving $16 million in federal aged care funding to help the region.
- 93
- New independent living units
- Princes Highway, Woonona
- Location
Why it mattersOlder residents stay more connected to their communities when aged care facilities are open to the public, reducing isolation.
AustraliaThe model, backed by federal funding, shows how Australian aged care can reduce pressure on hospitals by offering aged-in-place options that keep people in their home region longer.
