Vasey RSL Care Lodges $321m Frankston South Village Plan

A $321-million redevelopment proposal to transform a Frankston South aged-care site into a 494-unit retirement village has been revealed.

The proposal has been designed specifically for ex-service personnel and seniors in one of Victoria’s largest concentrations of veterans and war widows.

Vasey RSL Care has lodged a Significant Residential Development with an Affordable Housing application with the Department of Transport and Planning under the Development Facilitation Program.

According to the town planning report, Frankston City Council and Invest Victoria have indicated support for the project.

Ratio Consultants prepared the planning submission for the 7.62ha site at 85 Overport Road, 41km south of the Melbourne CBD.

According to the architectural design report by ThomsonAdsett Architects, the design focuses on six key principles: site sensitivity, meaningful social experiences, health and wellness, sustainability, the ‘small house’ model of care, and a ‘site of care’ philosophy.

The proposal comprises 494 units, including an 80-bed aged-care facility, 52 assisted living apartments and 362 independent living units across villas, townhouses and apartment blocks of one to six storeys.

▲ Vasey RSL Care’s masterplan for the Frankston South site showing the five-stage development of 494 retirement units.

Construction would proceed across five stages. Initial works would involve demolition and then construction of communal facilities, followed by residential aged-care and assisted living apartments.

Retirement village and community hub delivery would occur in the third stage, with independent living units to be delivered in the fourth phase. Final works would include the refurbishment of existing villas and Nui-Guini Hall.

According to the town planning report, Frankston is home to Victoria’s highest concentration of veterans and war widows. Growing demand for affordable housing and aged-care facilities have driven the proposal’s focus on ex-service personnel and the broader seniors community.

Development activity across Frankston includes the $1.1-billion Frankston Hospital redevelopment, which is nearing completion and will rebrand as Peninsula University Hospital early next year.

The health hub will support an additional 35,000 patients annually with 130 extra beds and 15 operating theatres. It is expected to attract more than 940 students each year, generating demand for accommodation and commercial services.

Frankston City Council this year approved seven mixed-use developments totalling 770 apartments, and the list of approved and completed projects so far is valued at $506 million.