Mid-Western Regional Council has unanimously voted to investigate plans for seniors style living at the former Mudgee Bowling Club site.
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Council recently purchased the site between Burrundulla Avenue and George Street.
In a motion presented to council on Wednesday, Mayor Des Kennedy said the strategic investment is intended to create some opportunities for developing own-source income – a requirement under the Fit for Future framework for Local Government.
“We’re a quickly aging population and we are going to run short of aged care facilities into the future,” Cr Kennedy said.
He said the vision for the site is to provide cost effective independent living options for seniors who would like to live close to the centre of town in a community village environment.
“While I would not see this as a nursing home option in competition to the current facilities around the region, I believe there is currently a gap available in the market for this style of independent living.”
Cr Kennedy and general manager Brad Cam have been in preliminary discussions with Kiama and Gilgandra councils which operate similar facilities.
“They seem to have the business model pretty good now whereby they can run these independent living estates revenue neutral so they don’t cost the ratepayer money in the long term,” Cr Kennedy said.
“I think it would be a fantastic initiative for the new council in the next four years to do some business studies and costing on this and whether it is viable for the town. We certainly wouldn’t want to tread on the toes of the ones that are in town now that are extremely fantastic facilities.
“As part of the proposal, consideration would need to be given to the overall business case for any development and the opportunity to generate some income for council while also providing a community need.” Council will now develop a master plan for an independent living development at the site.
