Groundbreaking aged care in Canberra

ACT’s first intergenerational retirement living and aged care community to be developed on UC’s Bruce campus.

A groundbreaking partnership between the University of Canberra, Opal HealthCare and Pariter, for the development and long-term operation of a landmark university-based intergenerational social and knowledge hub, including on-campus retirement living and residential aged care, was announced today.

The first community of its kind in the ACT and only the second in Australia, it will be located on the University’s Bruce campus and will complement the University’s existing health infrastructure, which includes the UC Hospital and UC Health Hub. Under this development, the University will lease land to Pariter and Opal HealthCare under a 100-year agreement.

The community will feature integrated senior living, healthcare, education and community engagement in a unique, intergenerational setting that redefines ageing in place, and strengthens the social fabric of Canberra.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra, The Honourable Bill Shorten, said the project reflects the University’s commitment to lifelong learning, community wellbeing, and innovation in education and research with hundreds more people expected to call UC home.

“This project will create a living and learning environment where older Australians can stay engaged, active, and connected – not only with health services, but with ideas, students, and the vibrant university campus life,” he said.

Opal HealthCare will deliver high-quality residential aged care and related health services within the precinct. Its Care Community, custom-designed to optimise the living experience for older Australians requiring high-quality care, will accommodate 180 residents. It will include a central hub with a café, hair dressing salon, and indoor and outdoor living spaces that encourage connection and socialisation.

“We know that for Australians young and old, loneliness is a real issue, therefore young people need to look after older people, and older people need to look after young people alike. For this reason, this development seeks to bring together Australians across every generation to learn from and enrich one another.” said Rachel Argaman, CEO of Opal HealthCare.

“This partnership enables us to use our expertise in aged care development by embedding wellbeing, choice, and connection to community in the very design of the built environment.” 

The project will unlock educational and research benefits which include collaborative employment programs, student placement opportunities locally and nationally, aged care and retirement living research and co-designed learning programs.

“It will create a benchmark for intergenerational living on University campuses, one which I hope will be replicated across the country in years to come,” said Mr Shorten.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr welcomed the announcement citing the partnership between University of Canberra, Pariter and Opal HealthCare as an innovative healthcare model.

“This is truly a significant moment for the University of Canberra and our city more broadly,” said Mr Barr.

“The project will deliver an integrated healthcare model that will improve the lives of Canberrans as they age.

“It will place a strong focus on connection to community, while making sure older people have access to education and the services they need.”

Pariter, a specialist developer and operator of community infrastructure, will enter a 100-year land lease from the University, and lead the design and delivery of the retirement community master plan in close collaboration with the University, to ensure the delivery of a shared vision and objectives for the overall precinct.

“We’re proud to co-create a model for intergenerational living that is sustainable, socially enriching, and future-focused,” said Tom Roche, CEO of Pariter. “This is smart precinct development with long-term community impact at its core.”

Development highlights include:

• 230 independent living units
• 180-bed residential aged care community
• Community wellness facilities
• Extension to UC’s health precinct linking UC Hospital and UC Health Hub

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating a future-focused, inclusive community where older Australians can thrive.