CITY of Kalamunda has plans to boost residential aged care in Forrestfield’s Cambridge Reserve, but aged care advocates say more must be done to meet shortfalls for the ageing population.

Kalamunda resident and Friends of Aged Care coordinator Iris Jones said she was very concerned about the deepening lack of aged care availabilities in the area.

“We are an ageing population,” she said.

“There are more people coming into the age group who need facilities – every week there are more people looking for beds.

“A brand-new facility opened last year in High Wycombe: Karingal Green.

“Very high-quality facilities for a 162-bed nursing home.

“They are no longer taking names on their waiting list.

“They opened last year, and all the beds have been filled – what does that tell you?”

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the city’s 2021 local housing strategy predicted a 480 to 730 shortfall of aged accommodation beds in 12 years’ time depending on which developments were planned and approved.

“The city remains committed to addressing the needs of our ageing population,” she said.

“We are committed to delivering the Cambridge Reserve community enhancement project in Forrestfield.

“The project aims to deliver an integrated aged care outcome with complementary uses, enhance community amenity and recreation, protect and enhance natural areas, and provide much-needed urban renewal in the Forrestfield locality.

“Including aged residential care and or retirement living will provide additional activation and amenity, meeting a critical need for our ageing population.”

Ms Thomas said the Cambridge Reserve Project had already progressed through three key phases.

“These include the adoption of a master concept plan in December 2020, the amendment to the local planning scheme in April 2022, and the transfer of tenure to the City of Kalamunda in September 2022,” she said.

“Currently, our focus is on finalising a business case to recommend a preferred path forward.

“This will support a future investment decision by the council for development.”

Ms Jones said while the Cambridge Reserve development was a step in the right direction, the state government also had their role to play.

“After almost six years of Labor state government, we still await the turning of the sod on a piece of prime land owned by the government at Heidelberg Park, Carmel,” she said.

“It is zoned for aged care, and we are still almost 200 nursing home beds short in this city.”

The state government put out a media statement in 2023 announcing the progression of Heidelberg Park’s development into aged care residency.

In it, Lands Minister John Carey said a registration of interest process for the development was conducted in 2021 with the aim of increasing aged care facilities in the Perth Hills.

“With an ageing population, this government is committed to making land available to enable diverse housing options to be developed for those who want to remain in their local communities,” he said.

Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch said the government continued its commitment ensuring senior Western Australians had access to residential care options that suit their needs.

“With our ageing population and a high demand for aged care facilities, it’s pleasing to see this progression for this much needed project in our Perth Hills,” he said.

Since then, the development’s preferred proponent Boston Holdings notified the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) they were unable to proceed with the project and all project negotiations ceased.

Ms Jones reached out to the DPLH for answers about Heidelberg Park earlier this year and received a letter response in July.

The letter attributed the pandemic and subsequent heated construction market as conditions that didn’t facilitate a new expression of interest process now, despite the previous process reportedly being conducted in 2021.

Ms Jones said it took years of advocacy to rezone Heidelberg Park for aged care purposes, and the state government’s lack of action in attracting developers was disappointing.

“They have had six years in office to deliver a tangible result on that land for a significant percentage of their constituents, their elderly,” she said.

“During that time, many of our elderly and infirm have either died, or been exiled to far distance facilities for the care they so desperately need and deserve.

“After six years? Please explain. Our elderly do not jump up and down when treated unfairly.

“They take what is thrown at them with forbearance and dignity, but they have paid their taxes, and they deserve a voice and a fair go.”

Boston Group and the DPLH have been contacted for comment.