A fundamental pillar of the UOW Health & Wellbeing Strategy.
HEALTH & WELLBEING PRECINCT
The Health and Wellbeing Precinct is the next exciting phase of development proposed for our Innovation Campus, and is central in achieving the University’s bold vision for the future of health in the region and beyond outlined in the UOW Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The Precinct will be Australia’s first intergenerational university community- a place for living, learning, working and growing in an environment that supports complete physical, social, and mental health and wellbeing. Our aim is to revolutionise the integration of research, clinical practice and patient-led care, dramatically improving the level of community-designed and preventative healthcare in our region.
Human health presents complex and pressing challenges for our society – and it goes far beyond simply the absence of disease. The University of Wollongong and Keyton (formally Lendlease) (Precinct development partner) is committed to driving innovation in healthcare research, education and delivery for a better, healthier future for all.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION UPDATE
UOW and Keyton Retirement Living are currently working with Wollongong City Council (WCC) on the Concept DA assessment process. The masterplan for the Precinct has been updated following ongoing collaboration with Council and its independent Design Review Panel. Amongst other changes, this includes a new larger, green open space, situated at the heart of the Precinct and open to the whole community. Updated DA documentation was lodged with WCC in late December 2021, to reflect these changes to the masterplan. The DA was placed on public exhibition in early 2022 for 4 weeks. A decision on the project is anticipated by late 2023.
Precinct Facilities
Phase one of the Precinct will offer the following main services to the community:
Community Health Building
The Community Health building will combine community health services provided directly to the public, with a significant focus on teaching and research activities.
Seniors Residential Living Facilities
Offering both independent and continuous care living options, residents will be able to access onsite healthcare services and facilities, and participate in community and UOW activities. Operators: Keyton (ILA) & TBC (RACF)
Early Childhood Education
Forming an important component of the intergenerational Precinct, the early childhood education centre will be co-located with the aged care living facilities and will focus on social cohesion within the broader community. Operator: TBC
Greenheart Park & Public Facilities
Alongside parking, retail facilities and shared gardens, ‘Greenheart Park’ will provide a central green space for the community and residents to connect and interact. A variety of programs will be on offer for both the younger and senior members of the community.
Economic Impact
Over $250m in capital construction
Creation of hundreds of jobs direct and indirect through construction and operations
Total regional economic output of $600m during construction
Annual benefits to the community of $7 million from additional supply of aged care, health cost savings and avoided hospital costs
Precinct Benefits
Community Benefits
Improve physical and mental wellbeing of our regional and state communities
Attracts and retains local skilled workforce
Increases opportunities for education and life-long learning
Attracts additional domestic and international students to Wollongong
‘Green heart’ park and garden facilities open to community
Advance the national and international reputation of Wollongong and UOW from innovation in service delivery and research
Senior Living Benefits
Creates a more vibrant, inclusive and cohesive community through intergenerational living
Increases collaboration between local organisations and seniors
Provides enhanced choices for the local ageing population
Allows a continuum of care model through on-site services and facilities for residents
Preserves knowledge and access to teaching for future generations
Provides year-round opportunities and activation on the Campus
Research, Teaching & Learning Benefits
Provides the greater Illawarra with increased opportunities for clinical and translational research into innovative techniques with the aim of addressing regional, national and global health challenges
Enabling University students and graduates to be career-ready through increased deep immersion clinical placements, learning new methods of reflective practice, and working in cross disciplinary teams
Supporting the growth of existing and new courses
Providing UOW teaching staff with direct access to latest practices
Working with healthcare professionals, academics, businesses and start-ups to generate greater levels of innovation and impact nationally and internationally
Project Timeline
Pending planning approval, the first facilities are expected to be fully operational by approximately 2026.
The Development Application will be a concept proposal which will establish a ‘Master Plan’ for Phase 1 of the H&WP, setting a clear planning and development framework used to guide the delivery of buildings and public domain areas, through separate and future applications following this Master Plan vision.
An important component across all the project phases is community and stakeholder engagement, with feedback and information sessions taking place regularly throughout the proposed project. If you would like to be involved, please get in contact via the ‘Let us know your thoughts’ section below.
An Inside Look
The 7.5 hectare world-class precinct, which will be located on the southern end of the Innovation Campus, will integrate non-surgical health care, seniors living and child care facilities within a research and teaching environment to translate research into action. Click the read more button below to see the Masterplan.
Keyton has been appointed as a development partner for the precinct, following a commercial expression of interest process in November 2016. Keyton (formally Lendlease) is a globally integrated real estate and investment group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong and connected communities. Keyton has a proven track record of delivering health infrastructure, commercial and residential projects across Australia. Communities by Keyton are designed with an emphasis on positive environmental and social impacts, while seeking to enrich the lives of residents and foster opportunities for connection, collaboration and growth. Keyton puts action into its belief that together, we create value through places where communities thrive.
