Wow, this is an exciting day for Gladstone for our ageing community, our students and for our wider community that loves the idea of keeping family close and improving access to services.
The announcement of history-making deal to deliver Australia’s first intergenerational village was made by Gladstone Regional Council this morning.
What is planned for this intergenerational village?
• CQU teaching and learning facilities
• A residential aged care facility operated by Mercy Health providing work-related learning opportunities for CQU students
• Retirement and supported living
• Affordable/student and short-term accommodation
• Sporting and community facilities, including retention of the existing athletics oval
• Commercial/retail/local services catering for the needs of residents and visitors to the precinct.
Where will it be located?
So Glad. What a great name shirt for South Gladstone, The former Gladstone TAFE College site in Derby Street.
It’s a collaboration with CQUniversity Australia (CQU) and Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited (MercyCQ) to deliver Australia’s first intergenerational village.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said a Memorandum of Understanding with the proponents would be formalised for the ground-breaking project to create a Gladstone health and aged care precinct where aged living would become a focal point for community life to revolve around.
“Council is excited to have banded together with the Gladstone Region’s university and health care provider Mercy to pioneer and develop the nation’s first intergenerational community hub; the Gladstone Intergenerational Community Health Precinct,” Councillor Burnett said.
“This creative initiative has the potential to become a model for towns across Australia and encourages greater family connections and interaction of residents across the generations.
“A master planned, multi-stage, senior living campus will cater to every level of aged care service and will form the nucleus of village life surrounded by allied health services, educational and training facilities, community activities and retail and sporting amenities.”
Council declared the health precinct proposal to be classed as a priority project; recognising its ability to fill a need for the region’s ageing population, increase employment in the region in the health care and social assistance sector and increase employment opportunities in the education and training sector.
Council’s Environment & Community Services Committee Chair Councillor Cindi Bush said the project was dubbed ‘So Glad’, a shortened form of South Gladstone, where the intergenerational village would be located.
“The former Gladstone TAFE College site in Derby Street will be incorporated into the village along with adjacent parcels of land which are currently vacant,” Cr Bush said.
“The project will reinvent aged care and create a new community centre of Gladstone providing close and easy access to major activities for all ages, including retail and professional health services.”
Cr Bush said the So Glad Health and Aged Care Precinct to be developed in stages would provide economic stimulus for the region and would importantly help to retain our senior residents within the Gladstone Region.
“The intergenerational concept recognises the social importance and benefits of connecting residents of all ages within an active community,” she said. “Residents will no longer need to leave the Gladstone Region to seek greater health care or retirement living and the village will encourage family connections, social inclusiveness and interaction across the different generations within our community.”
Cr Bush said the development would also act as a valuable training ground for local university students.
Gladstone News have locked in time to meet with Mayor Matt Burnett and Cr Cindi Bush later today to get more info on this exciting project. If you have any questions email them to News@gladstonenews.com.au
Keep you posted Gladstone.