Community input is being sought as plans for a major Health and Wellbeing Precinct at the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Innovation Campus gather pace. The project aims to provide part of the answer to the growing need for aged care facilities in the Illawarra.
In May 2024, the master plan for the project, worth tens of millions of dollars, was approved unanimously by the Southern Region Planning Panel, following support from Wollongong City Council.
The next step is for the proponents to seek community feedback for the 180-bed residential aged care facility, a 60-place early learning centre, major changes to car parking and the widening of Squires Way to four lanes to improve access for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. Consultation will wrap up on Friday, 7 November.
UOW is partnering with Keyton, a leading owner-operator of over-55s living communities in Australia, with more than 75 villages nationally and 17,000 residents across the country.
Will replace carparks and a former soccer site
The site is located to the north of the existing Innovation Campus buildings, including a large area currently used for surface car parking, and land which was once the home of the Wollongong Wolves at Brandon Park in the 1980s.
The project will be delivered in two stages.
Stage one includes 95 independent living units with retirement village communal facilities, including a residential lounge, pool, gym, and consulting rooms. There will also be research and education spaces and about 120 parking spaces for residents, staff and visitors.
The second stage will include an additional 140 aged care units, a groundfloor cafe and rooftop lounge for residents, more research and education spaces and another 165 parking spaces.
Large landscaped areas
The project includes a large area of green space that will offer a landscaped open space, including a chain of ponds, a cultural trail, a large, grassed area, seating and shaded areas.
At the time of the initial master plan approval, UOW's acting vice chancellor, Professor David Curnow, said: "The health and wellbeing precinct is underpinned by a social mandate to address health inequities within the region.
"With this project, UOW seeks to build on our strengths and reputation for leading health education and research, particularly in aged care, dementia and mental health. Our ageing population creates a number of complex challenges and opportunities for our community which go beyond the absence of disease."
Keyton CEO Nathan Cockerill said: "This is a significant development that will benefit the broader Illawarra community, including employment, university placements and research opportunities on campus, as well as much-needed housing options for seniors."
Drop-in session next Wednesday
For people wanting to learn more about the project and to talk to the project team members, there will be a drop-in session next Wednesday, 22 October from 4-7pm at the City Room, Central Building 230 at UOW's Innovation Campus.
The community has also been invited to participate in a 10-minute telephone survey. Interested people should contact Colleen Lux on 02 4283 7300 during business hours by Friday, 7 November 2025. You can also provide a written submission by email to info@judithstubbs.com.au by 7 November.
Once this round of consultation is complete, UOW and Keyton will submit a State Significant Development Application to the NSW Government in early 2026, which will then go on public exhibition to give the community one more opportunity to make submissions.