On public exhibition is BaptistCare’s concept State significant development application, seeking a masterplan approval for the renewal of a significant landholding at 157 Balaclava Road in Macquarie Park. 

With a land area of 6.4 hectares, consent is sought for a mixed-use development, comprising a maximum gross floor area of 190,000sqm dedicated to a range of land uses, including student housing, seniors housing, build-to-rent, retail, residential, mixed use and a school.

The key issues raised during the consultation process included the intended future use of the site as a master planned community beyond just providing aged care and retirement living opportunities, as well as bulk and scale, traffic generation and the future type of uses.

Sitting on the site at the moment are several low-to-medium density buildings that are connected via internal footpaths and low order road networks. These buildings accommodate aged care and retirement living.

BaptistCare has been reviewing the strategic intent of this landholding since the site was rezoned in September 2015 as part of the Macquarie University Station (Herring Road) Priority Precinct to transform the area into a ‘vibrant centre’.

With over 3,600 staff and 800 volunteers, BaptistCare has grown into one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit Christian based care organisations.