Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler was pleased to have APP Corporation handle the project, given the firm’s extensive experience with aged care projects in the region.

“APP has local staff and a reputation for delivering projects across the Illawarra and Southern Highlands,” Cr Petschler said.

“APP managed construction of the new residential aged care facility in Burradoo in the Southern Highlands, as well as the refurbishment and extension of another facility in Moss Vale.”

Council named Boffa Robertson Group as architects for the $73 million project.

Cr Petschler said with the appointments made, work could now begin on the design for the centre. “The project team will be working with user groups over coming months on the design before on-ground works commence in 2017,” he said. 

Cr Petschler said the project would provide significant employment both during construction and after the centre opened.

“The centre will directly generate around 70 permanent jobs, making a significant and long-term contribution to the local economy.

“Importantly this project is entirely self-funded, with no direct use of ratepayers’ money for the development.”

The project includes a 134-bed aged care facility, community services offices, a community hall and 51 Independent Living Units. 

The project also incorporates the refurbishment of the heritage-listed Barroul House.

This will involve the demolition of existing buildings, excluding Barroul House, in the new year before construction starts mid-2017. 

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has already started work on building the Kiama Integrated Primary and Community Health Centre, which will neighbour the site as part of the wider Kiama Hospital Redevelopment project.

The Kiama Hospital Redevelopment project received $8 million in funding under the state government’s Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund.