Council Gives All Clear To Hostel
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday March 12, 2002
LAKE Macquarie City Council has approved construction of a $2million aged-care hostel on a prime waterfront site at Swansea.
A last-minute plea by objecting residents failed to convince the council to reject the development application.
Councillors approved construction of the 32-bed aged-care hostel eight votes to three at last night's meeting.
The Sisters of St Joseph, who last year closed their Lochinvar nursing home, and non-profit organisation Southern Cross Homes will build the hostel in Northcote Ave.
A two-storey 20-bed aged-care building will be built on the site while three cottages will be converted into 12 beds.
Susan Thompson, who owns a property next door, described the hostel plan as `a poorly conceived solution to the undisputed need for more aged care accommodation'.
Mrs Thompson said it would have an adverse impact on both her property and surrounding homes and worsen traffic and parking congestion.
Southern Cross Homes CEO John Ireland said his organisation had worked with residents to redesign the plan to address their concerns.
© 2002 Newcastle Herald
