Canberra Uni to house intergenerational aged care community

The Australian Capital Territory is set to welcome its first intergenerational retirement and aged care community, to be developed on the University of Canberra’s (UC) Bruce campus.

The landmark project, a collaboration between UC, specialist developer Pariter, and aged care provider Opal HealthCare, marks only the second such development in Australia, promising a new model for ageing in place and community engagement.

The agreement establishes a 100-year land lease from the University to Pariter and Opal HealthCare. The development aims to integrate senior living, healthcare, education, and community engagement, designed to redefine how older Australians live and connect.

It will also complement UC’s existing health infrastructure, including the UC Hospital and UC Health Hub, as part of the University’s Health Neighbourhood Masterplan.

UC Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten said the project aligns with the University’s core values.

“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,” Mr Shorten said.

“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.”

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr called the development “a significant moment for the University of Canberra and our city more broadly.”

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

“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, responsible for the design and delivery of the retirement community master plan, will work closely with the University to realise their shared vision.

“We’re proud to co-create a model for intergenerational living that is sustainable, socially enriching, and future-focused,” Pariter chief Mr Roche said.

Opal HealthCare will bring its expertise to deliver high-quality residential aged care and related health services within the precinct.

“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,” Opal HealthCare chief Rachel Argaman said.

“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 development will feature 230 independent living units and a 180-bed residential aged care community.The Australian Capital Territory is set to welcome its first intergenerational retirement and aged care community, to be developed on the University of Canberra’s (UC) Bruce campus.

The landmark project, a collaboration between UC, specialist developer Pariter, and aged care provider Opal HealthCare, marks only the second such development in Australia, promising a new model for ageing in place and community engagement.

The agreement establishes a 100-year land lease from the University to Pariter and Opal HealthCare. The development aims to integrate senior living, healthcare, education, and community engagement, designed to redefine how older Australians live and connect.

It will also complement UC’s existing health infrastructure, including the UC Hospital and UC Health Hub, as part of the University’s Health Neighbourhood Masterplan.

UC Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten said the project aligns with the University’s core values.

“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,” Mr Shorten said.

“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.”

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr called the development “a significant moment for the University of Canberra and our city more broadly.”

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

“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, responsible for the design and delivery of the retirement community master plan, will work closely with the University to realise their shared vision.

“We’re proud to co-create a model for intergenerational living that is sustainable, socially enriching, and future-focused,” Pariter chief Mr Roche said.

Opal HealthCare will bring its expertise to deliver high-quality residential aged care and related health services within the precinct.

“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,” Opal HealthCare chief Rachel Argaman said.

“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 development will feature 230 independent living units and a 180-bed residential aged care community.

University of Canberra (UC) Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman.