Controversy Surrounds Aged Care Development in Flood-Prone Forest Lodge

A proposed aged care development at Junction Street in Forest Lodge, Sydney, is under scrutiny as part of the New South Wales government's initiative to increase housing supply. The project, which includes a 12-bed aged care facility and 71 independent living units, is being evaluated under the state significant development pathway, allowing for expedited approvals. This pathway has been utilized more frequently by the Minns government, aiming to construct 377,000 homes by 2029 as part of the national housing accord. However, environmental and emergency agencies have raised serious concerns regarding the site's flood risk.

The Guardian

The New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) and the Conservation Programs, Heritage and Regulation (CPHR) group have expressed opposition to the development, citing the location's designation as highly flood-constrained. The CPHR stated that the proposed site presents an "unacceptable risk to life" due to its vulnerability to flooding, particularly during extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The SES echoed these concerns, highlighting the limited evacuation opportunities for residents in the event of a flood.

The Guardian

The site, previously rezoned from industrial to mixed-use in 2012, has been identified as a flood storage area and a floodway, raising questions about the appropriateness of constructing senior housing in such a location. Local residents have voiced objections, noting that the area experiences severe stormwater flow during heavy rainfall, questioning the wisdom of building high-density housing for seniors in a flood-prone zone.

The Guardian

Corio Developments, the company behind the project, has argued that its flood risk assessments remain valid despite relying on older models. The developer has proposed mitigation measures, including elevating residences above the one-in-20-year flood level and providing three pedestrian evacuation points. However, local residents have raised concerns about the accessibility of these evacuation routes, particularly for seniors with mobility challenges.

The Guardian

In response to the objections, Corio indicated that a shelter-in-place strategy would be implemented during extreme flooding events, which they claim have a minimal probability of occurrence. This strategy would not depend on electricity and would include provisions for personal hygiene, drinking water, and food.

The Guardian

Mark Fukuda-Oddie, a local resident, criticized the accessibility of the site, emphasizing the challenges for seniors during evacuations. The NSW planning department has organized discussions among the developer, CPHR, SES, and the City of Sydney council to address the flooding concerns. Planning Minister Paul Scully stated that all development proposals undergo a comprehensive merit-based assessment, asserting that the government has strengthened considerations for climate change and natural hazards in the planning process.

The Guardian

Despite the developer's assurances, the CPHR and SES maintain their opposition, asserting that the site is unsuitable for both sheltering in place and evacuation strategies. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between the urgent need for housing and the imperative to safeguard public safety in flood-prone areas.

The Guardian

• “Design measures cannot adequately mitigate the high flood hazard … [which] would result in an unacceptable risk to life for a seniors living development.” — CPHR

The Guardian

• “all development proposals go through a full merit-based assessment” — Paul Scully, NSW Planning Minister

The Guardian