The proponent of a $15.3 million seniors living development at Dubbo anticipates it will be operational within 18 months if "everything goes to plan".
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The Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution (RFBI) is seeking consent to build the complex comprising 70 single ensuite rooms and 12 self-contained dwellings on the north-eastern corner of Keswick Estate.
This week its plans were considered by a Dubbo City Council committee, after assessment by planning staff.
Senior planner Lee Griffith said in a report the proposed development was permissible on the site and considered acceptable to applicable plans and policies.
He recommended its referral to the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) for determination, subject to 63 conditions.
The JRPP is the consent authority because the proposed development has a capital investment of more than $5 million and because the council, being the owner of the subject site, has an interest.
The planning and development committee endorsed Mr Griffith's recommendation, and yesterday RFBI chief Alex Shaw welcomed the move, saying it was a good first step.
In addition to a 70-bedroom residential aged care facility, the development application (DA) includes 12 self-contained dwellings of both two and three bedrooms, a communal centre containing a lodge, hall and dining area and men's shed.
"I'm pretty certain Dubbo will be pleased to have a new aged care facility," Mr Shaw said.
The chief executive officer of the organisation found in 23 locations across NSW and the ACT pointed to changing demographics, saying "baby boomers were coming through the system".
Mr Shaw said the RFBI had already received inquiries from Dubbo about the proposed development.
"Aged care facilities are not for everyone, but this will be there for the 7 to 8 per cent of the population aged over 70 who require it," he said.
"It will be a 70-bed, state-of-the-art facility.
"The building will have a dementia-specific section.
"If everything goes to plan, in 15 to 18 months' time it will be operational."
The council and the RFBI exchanged contracts in January for the 9.6 hectare site located on the corner of Cobra Street and Sheraton Road.
The committee's recommendation will go to next week's council meeting and if carried, proceed to the JRPP.
