City of Sydney Council has announced plans to turn a council car park in Redfern into a not-for-profit 50-person residential aged care home.
Following an open call out for the design, construction and operation of the facility at 49 Cope Street, and approval by the Council in August, Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care and Uniting will formalise their partnership, the Council said in a statement.
Once finalised, the Council will hand over the $20 million site for a nominal $1 and Wyanga and Uniting can start planning the facility.
The Council says it is committed to enabling diverse, culturally appropriate housing that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to remain in the local area.
“This is a project firmly centred on self-determination and cultural safety with long-term benefits for the local First Nations community,” said Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO.
“Having a place for Elders in Redfern that is led and run by people with a deep understanding of culture speaks volumes about respect and dignity, not only for the Elders but their entire extended families and community.
“We’re doing all we can to create different types of homes for people in our local area at all stages of life and I’m really excited to see this innovative project come to fruition in the years ahead.”
Long-term, Uniting has committed to officially handing over ownership and operation of the facility to Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care, so it is fully owned and run by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“Our Elders deserve to age with dignity, surrounded by the community, culture, and families they helped build,” said Wyanga Aboriginal Aged care CEO, Jarin Baigent.
“In proud partnership with Uniting, Wyanga will lead the way in delivering culturally safe residential care that supports self-determination and keeps Elders connected to community.
“This much-needed initiative will build on the 30 years Wyanga has operated in community and will have lasting, positive impact in Redfern.
“We are glad the City of Sydney identified this critical need in our community, such an important decision that will positively impact our people for generations.”
“We are proud to be working alongside Wyanga to create a place where Elders can age with dignity, care and cultural safety in the heart of Redfern,” said First Nations Strategy and Outcomes director at Uniting, Gavin Mackey.
“It’s a powerful recognition of the vision Wyanga and Uniting share, to provide aged care that is led by community and shaped by self-determination.”
The 55-space car park currently at this address will be kept for public use and moved underground as part of the site development, the Council confirmed.
Conditions on the site transfer include that it must be used for aged care purposes in perpetuity.
