Uniting recognises that there has been an increased demand for quality homes and services for seniors on the Far North Coast^[1], so we’ve been working on plans to meet this need.

The current aged care home is now reaching the end of its intended life and is no longer fit for purpose.

That’s why we aim to build a more vibrant community that offers the same high-quality care, while providing increased services that respond to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. In doing so, we’ll be assisting more people to live happily at home for longer, supported by services that meet changing care needs.

With the community’s input, we have further developed the masterplan that will transform the Uniting Kingscliff residential aged care home into a contemporary, welcoming seniors community with a village heart that enhances the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of our residents, clients and visitors.

The proposal includes both independent living apartments and residential aged care, so that we can provide a continuum of care that enables people to age gracefully and with dignity in the community they love, supported by a range of other services.

We are currently preparing a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the development. Some key facts about SSDAs:

• A project is deemed to have state significance if it is over a certain size, is located in a sensitive environmental area, or will exceed a specific capital investment.
• SSDAs are assessed and determined by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).
• As part of the application, a team of specialist consultants will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• The EIS provides information on the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the project.

A State Significant Development Application (SSDA) will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in early 2024. Following this, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be produced, outlining construction management measures and procedures.

If the SSDA is approved, it’s estimated that the Uniting Kingscliff redevelopment will take 4 years to construct. Construction will be divided into two stages.

Kingscliff Uniting Church will continue to operate throughout construction and 40 residential aged care places will remain on the site.

We will keep the community updated on the project, every step of the way.

In addition to consultation activities undertaken by Uniting, you will also have the opportunity to have your say by providing a formal submission to the Department of Planning and Environment during the public exhibition period in the coming months.

^{[1] Kingscliff Locality Plan: Version 2.1, Tweed Shire Council, July 2020 and the Draft North Coast Regional Development Plan 2041, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, July 2022.}