McQuoin Park: Promoting Wellness in Aged Care

In May 2016, Catholic Healthcare commenced construction of a $120 million development project at McQuoin Park in Waitara, New South Wales.
The first stage of construction is scheduled for completion in mid 2017, with the overall project being completed by 2020. The first stage of the development being built by Grindley Construction, will replace existing buildings onsite dating back to the 1980’s that are struggling to meet the needs of the local ageing community of Sydney’s upper north shore.
About Catholic Healthcare
Since 1994, Catholic Healthcare has grown to offer a range of residential aged care services, retirement living communities, healthcare services and home community services to over 6,500 persons in New South Wales and South East Queensland.
Once complete, the McQuoin Park integrated campus will offer state-of-the-art retirement living alongside residential aged care services, a health and wellness centre, onsite respite and community support for seniors. The new development will provide a range of options and benefit-geared solutions for all stages of ageing, offering a coordinated design, one that is tailored to individual needs and connects with the local community.

Catholic Healthcare’s General Manager of Residential Care, Anne Maree Hodgson says, “At the heart of the development is Catholic Healthcare’s determination to build a residential service and retirement living village offering community spaces such as a café, playground, chapel and lifestyle spaces for locals and the wider community.”
Catholic Healthcare is challenging the idea that ageing is intrinsically linked to functional decline. McQuion Park will support ageing in place care and promote independence through a new suite of evidence-based health and wellness programs. These are aimed at empowering residents to stay out of hospital by keeping physically and mentally active, eating well, staying socially connected and having access to a high standard of clinical care.

Residential Aged Care Service
McQuoin Park will offer 122 private, ensuite rooms to accommodate existing and potential residents. There will be two dementia specific wings for long term specialised care for residents, along with palliative care options to help achieve the best quality of life and comfort, offering support for residents, loved ones and their carers. Other types of care will include respite and transitional care.
"The private bedrooms with ensuites will be spacious enough for families to gather, plus there will also be lounge and sitting rooms, activities areas and a chapel for communal gatherings,” says Anne Maree Hodgson.
Retirement Living
168 units housed in five retirement living buildings will provide a range of communal living services including a therapy pool, gymnasium, cinema, library, hair and beauty salon, men’s shed, activity rooms, dining and living spaces. Lift and ramp access will be available throughout the village.
Health and Wellness Centre
The health and wellness centre will expand upon the services currently offered to carers and their loved ones. The centre will provide an additional space for more specialised programs, such as dementia respite services, restorative care programs and engagement activities for seniors living independently in the local area.
Cafe and Playground
Designed as a public link between the site and the surrounding areas, the café will provide a meeting place for residents, visitors and families together with the local Waitara community. This café will provide social experiences which is integral to seniors living well.
Site Ecology and the Environment
McQuoin Park will be nestled around portions of the remnant Sydney Blue Gum High Forest. The scale of the existing trees helped inform the design and height of the proposed development. The height of the buildings is set to be below the tree canopy height, thus retaining the leafy character of the surrounding area and streetscape along the Pacific Highway.

Catholic Healthcare’s, General Manager of Property, Michael Lockwood says, “This is an exciting time for the expansion of Catholic Healthcare’s portfolio. Our McQuoin Park development will provide a modern, integrated aged care service to Sydney’s upper north shore region. The development is currently progressing well and we look forward to the completion of the first stage.”