IRT has secured NSW government approval for the State Significant redevelopment of Woonona Place, marking a major milestone for seniors’ living in the Illawarra region.
The project will deliver a premium seniors’ living precinct for around 240 residents, combining the refurbishment and upgrade of the existing 100-bed Flame Tree Residential Care Home with the construction of 92 new independent living residences.
The development is also expected to help unlock much-needed housing supply by enabling older residents to transition into more suitable homes.
With Australia’s population ageing rapidly, demand for well-designed housing and care solutions continues to rise.
The Woonona Place redevelopment is a response to this shift, offering older Australians the opportunity to “right-size” while freeing up larger homes for younger families.
IRT CEO Ross Gallagher said the approval signals a critical step forward in rethinking how communities support ageing populations.
“Woonona Place is about elevating how we deliver housing for an ageing population so people can live with greater independence, connection and confidence as their needs change,” Gallagher said.
“People aged 75 and over are the fastest-growing demographic in NSW, yet the supply of seniors’ housing has not kept pace.
“This redevelopment responds to that challenge by bringing together contemporary retirement living and residential aged care into one thoughtfully designed precinct.”
The project reflects evolving expectations among retirees, with a growing emphasis on lifestyle, independence and community connection.
Gallagher said these changing preferences are reshaping the future of seniors’ living.
“We’re seeing a clear change in expectations,” he said.
“Today’s retirees are more active, independent, design-conscious, and focused on lifestyle than ever before,” he said.
“They’re looking for communities that support connection, wellbeing and choice – not just care – and that’s exactly what Woonona Place has been designed to deliver.”
The redevelopment will feature 92 two- and three-bedroom independent living residences across five architecturally designed buildings.
Residents will have access to a range of lifestyle amenities, including a social and wellness centre, indoor hydrotherapy pool, gym, clubhouse and library, as well as landscaped gardens and open green spaces.
The existing Flame Tree Residential Care Home will undergo a significant refurbishment, while the site’s heritage-listed church will be carefully restored and repurposed into a restaurant and events space for both residents and the wider community.
Gallagher said the project aims to set a new benchmark for seniors’ living in regional NSW while reinforcing IRT’s longstanding presence in the Illawarra.
“Woonona Place reflects a broader evolution in how people live as they age, moving away from traditional models and towards vibrant, lifestyle-led communities that prioritise quality, connection and ageing in place,” he said.
“Local seniors deserve well-designed, purpose-built homes that help them age well – close to the people, places and communities they love.
“We’ve been part of the Illawarra community for decades, and we’re deeply committed to supporting it into the future by delivering modern seniors’ living communities that meet local demand while supporting more sustainable housing outcomes.”
IRT lodged its State Significant Development Application in July 2025 following extensive community consultation, design refinement and input from the State Design Review Panel.
The proposal was placed on public exhibition in August 2025 before undergoing an eight-month assessment process.
IRT is expected to appoint a principal contractor in the coming months, with construction scheduled to begin later this year.
