Staff

Our project team are here to support you throughout this planning process. If residents, their families or you have any questions or would like to chat about the vision for Macquarie Park, please call us on 9272 5041 or email us at enquiries@baptistcaremacquariepark.org.au

We are very happy to chat with you. Our team are available to take your calls between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm, or you can leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you to those of you who have shared your questions and ideas with us so far. All your ideas are considered by the team and your contributions are appreciated.

Information for staff can be found on the BaptistCare Intranet. As the project progresses this year, we will continue to update staff through flyers, this website and the intranet.

Staff FAQs

Here are the answers to some questions you might have about the project.

Vertical village

Why is BaptistCare renewing its Macquarie Park site?
  • BaptistCare Macquarie Park is a special place for our residents, their families and our staff, and we want to make sure it can continue to be a wonderful place for our community for many years to come.
  • With many of our buildings ageing in and need of renewal in the coming decade, we need to start planning now so we can continue to serve our community well into the future.
  • BaptistCare has been working on a Master Plan to guide the long-term renewal of the site, and to understand how we can create a contemporary intergenerational community for many decades to come.
What is a development application?
  • A development application is a formal request to a planning authority (Council or State Government) for permission to carry out a development project.
What is a Master Plan?
  • A Master Plan is a long-term vision and strategy for a site. It sets a framework for how a site will be renewed and developed.
  • Master plans establish a framework for delivering the elements that are needed to create a healthy, vibrant and connected community.
What is a vertical village?
  • Vertical villages are multi-storey residential buildings that foster a village-like lifestyle and a strong sense of community. This is created through the clever design of living areas, recreational space and community services.
  • A vertical village is not just another apartment building. A vertical village includes all the things that people love about village life, including spaces to gather, privacy, services and entertainment options.
  • A vertical village at Macquarie Park would be designed to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality care and resident safety with new services, fit-for-purpose rooms and improved accessibility within the building.
  • Vertical villages have a smaller building footprint, which will allow for a neighbourhood that feels green, has extensive vegetation and well-maintained open spaces that are safe, welcoming and connected. These will be places for socialising, recreation and connecting with other people in the community.
  • Vertical villages are a tried and tested approach to retirement living and aged care, and architectural innovations have changed how it feels to live in multistorey accommodation.
  • Examples in Sydney and around the world show that vertical villages – when designed well – can offer the same sense of community as a village, while providing new and exciting services and improved outdoor space.
Why is BaptistCare exploring a vertical village for Macquarie Park?
  • BaptistCare Macquarie Park is a special place for our staff, residents and their families, and we want to make sure that it continues to be a place our community can cherish and enjoy well into the future.
  • We have heard about the aspects that our community values most about Macquarie Park: its sense of community, location, and the beautiful natural environment.
  • A vertical village would allow us to maintain and optimise what makes Macquarie Park unique while further improving our delivery of care through contemporary design.
  • Our vision for a vertical village is a neighbourhood designed for its community which will maximise physical and visual access to natural light, ventilation and green open space.
  • It will also be designed to ensure ongoing quality care and safety, as well as improved convenience for staff.
  • We believe a well-designed vertical village will offer comfort and convenience for our residents, and an improved environment for our staff to work and provide care.
Why is BaptistCare relocating WillandraVillage residents?
  • In exploring options for the location and construction of the Vertical Village, we have been advised that this construction will lead to loud noise, vibration and dust for Willandra residents, as well as hourly heavy vehicle movements during work hours.
  • We would need to build new truck access routes and close key Willandra Village access roads, which would limit resident vehicle movement. There would also be impacts to pedestrian footpaths, disrupting resident access on foot around the site.
  • The construction would also require the closure of the much-loved RE Walker Hall.  
  • This is not the kind of home or lifestyle that we want to offer our Willandra residents, and we believe this would significantly impact their quality of life and wellbeing.  
  • This has been a very difficult decision for BaptistCare, but it is a decision that has been made based on what we think is in the best interests of Willandra Residents.
  • BaptistCare will support Willandra residents to relocate from the Willandra village before construction on the new village begins in 2025.
What do processes has BaptistCare undertaken to understand what living conditions will be like at Willandra during construction? 
  • As part of the planning process for the Vertical Village, the BaptistCare Property team has carried out a range of investigations to understand where the building will be located, how it will be constructed and what the construction impacts will be for the entire village.
  • It has been through this process that we have come to understand the extent of the construction impact on Willandra Village.  
What support is BaptistCare offering Willandra residents?
  • BaptistCare will work with Willandra residents to find suitable, alternative accommodation. We hope many residents will remain with BaptistCare.
  • While construction on the new village won’t begin for some time, we are starting these conversations with residents early so they have time to decide what option works best for them.  
What does this mean for RAC staff?
  • This is a long-term plan, and Stage 1 (Vertical Village) is the only aspect of the Master Plan that has confirmed timelines for construction.
  • The residential aged care homes onsite are not included in Stage 1 and will continue to operate in their current capacity.
  • They will be the subject of further Development Applications for later stages of the Master Plan. This is along-term plan and the Master Plan proposes renewal in stages, subject to planning approvals.
Will there be any changes to the RACs at Macquarie Park?
  • There will be no changes to RACs. This means that all residents will remain at the RACs.
What are the next steps?
  • Planning takes time and we expect the development applications and approval process to take several years from start to finish. We’re planning now because we need to be ready, with approvals in place, when our oldest buildings need renewal.
  • We expect construction of the new village will begin in 2025.
  • The vertical village (Stage 1) is the only aspect of the Master Plan that has confirmed timelines for construction
  • The Residential Aged Care homes on site (Cooinda, Dorothy Henderson Lodge and Shalom) are still providing high quality care for residents and are not included within the Stage 1Vertical Village development application.
  • The Master Plan proposes the renewal in stages, subject to planning approvals.
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