The staged construction will see the land cleared for the aged care home first to try to help the  tree replanting at Girraween Nature Refuge more time to mature. The site is adjacent to Noosa National Park.

The co-located retirement village, which is being developed on behalf of Blue Care by ASX-listed Lendlease, will include a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments and villas with access to a swimming pool, community centre and gym.

Blue Care’s owner UnitingCare Queensland has lodged a Material Change of Use application with Noosa Council to extend the commencement of use to 19 December 2024 and work completion to 19 December 2028.

UnitingCare’s requested two-year extension is combined with Queensland Government granting of two six-month approval extensions provided to all developments due to COVD-19, adding up to a three-year extension and design changes in response to COVID-19 and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Not For Profit states the design of Blue Care Sunrise Beach takes into account the community demand for services that enable people to age in place, and incorporates the infection control advice of public health experts to provide a safe living environment for residents and staff in the context of COVID-19.