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RSL ANZAC Village
Creating a vibrant connected community
The Renewal Overview
The Vision is to create a vibrant, connected community where veterans and seniors can truly thrive, both now and into the future.
Renewal opportunities
To future‑proof the site’s long‑standing legacy, the Renewal is focused on helping older people stay in their own homes, with care that enables them to live independently for longer and adapt as their needs change. It introduces the opportunity to provide new models of aged care, moving away from institutional settings toward smaller, home‑like environments, centred on dignity, wellbeing, and community.
At the same time, the Renewal responds to growing demand by providing fit‑for‑purpose retirement living accommodation offering choice through a mix of townhouses, and one, two, and three‑bedroom apartments, all within one inclusive village community.
The Renewal recognises that today’s seniors are increasingly focused on health and wellbeing and these expectations are being thoughtfully integrated into the design. A strong emphasis is placed on accessibility, with safer, wider, and more connected pathways to support walkability and healthy living.
Why is Renewal needed
The Renewal of RSL ANZAC Village is being driven by a combination of aged care reform, government housing priorities and the condition of existing buildings and infrastructure.
The new Aged Care Act 2025 reflects a systemwide shift toward helping older people stay in their own homes for longer. It supports people to live independently, with care brought to them as their needs change. This is what many older people say they want, and research shows it can lead to better health, wellbeing and community.
The Northern Beaches Housing Strategy also identifies a clear need for additional seniors housing and aged care by 2036, with redevelopment of established seniors housing sites recognised as an appropriate way to meet this demand. Many buildings in the Village are now between 10 and 50 years old. Some aged care facilities had to close because they no longer met today’s standards. Important infrastructure is also getting older. If we don’t renew the Village, these issues will continue to grow and may affect our ability to support residents safely and comfortably into the future.
What is being planned
We’re seeking approval for both the overall Concept Plan and the first stage of works. The Concept Plan sets out the big picture for the Village’s future, showing where buildings, open spaces, paths, and essential infrastructure will go as the site evolves into a modern community for seniors and veterans.
Stage 1 kick‑starts the Renewal, replacing old, vacant buildings with new homes and delivering upgraded communal facilities for current and future residents. Future stages will follow through separate approvals, ensuring each part of the Renewal is carefully planned, assessed, and delivered at the right time.
How has the Renewal been shaped
The Village Renewal has been shaped through ongoing engagement since February 2025, including co‑creation workshops with residents and veterans, a community information session, an onsite information hub, and supporting materials to keep everyone informed and involved.
Benefits of Stage 1
The Renewal will continue to deliver real and immediate benefits for existing residents, including:
- A modern Lifestyle Centre designed to support health, wellbeing, and social connection including a pool, spa, gym, exercise rooms, hair and beauty services, art and craft spaces, function and club rooms, and a welcoming café. This represents a major investment in the community and a significant upgrade to the existing Lifestyle Centre.
- Improved safety with improved bushfire protection and better access for buses, vehicles, scooters, and pedestrians through new entry roads, walking paths, and bus layover areas.
The Concept Plan
The Concept Plan outlines what can be built, where it can go, and the scale of development across the Village. It sets the agreed building size and location, as well as the open space, public areas, access, infrastructure and staging all which will be key considerations that will guide future detailed designs and the long-term transformation.
Aged Care
The Renewal will replace outdated aged care facilities that no longer meet today’s standards. In line with aged care reform and growing demand for independent living with home‑based support, these buildings will be replaced with retirement living units.
There are about 350 aged care beds across four operating facilities at Narrabeen. The SSDA Concept Plan allows for one facility to be replaced, potentially increasing from 50 to 100 beds, with the detailed design and operating model to be confirmed in future. We will keep residents, family and kin, and RSL LifeCare team members informed as planning progresses.
Retirement Living
The Concept Plan delivers approximately 480 new homes including townhouses and one, two, and three‑bedroom apartments. By carefully varying building heights from two to eight storeys, more homes can be provided without spreading development across the site, allowing greater open space, better access to facilities, and a stronger, more connected community.
Community facilities & shared spaces
The Concept Plan includes new and upgraded shared spaces to support everyday life and help people stay connected. A new Lifestyle Centre is planned, with an indoor community hub that includes a pool, gym, flexible activity spaces, and a plaza and café pavilion.
The area around the Gallipoli Building is also planned to be improved, with new places to eat and meet, an active plaza, and space for health and care services.
New outdoor areas are also planned, including BBQ and picnic spots, shaded seating, pickleball courts, and community gardens. These spaces will be spread across the Village so they’re easy to reach from both new and existing homes.
Staging
The full renewal is expected to be delivered over approximately 10 to 15 years and will occur in carefully planned stages to ensure steady improvements and meaningful benefits over time. Staging means that only small parts of the Village are affected at any one time, allowing most residents to continue daily life as normally as possible.
The Concept Plan builds on the idea of RSL ANZAC Village as a “village of villages,” creating a series of distinct but connected areas that support different lifestyles and needs.
Stage 3a delivers essential support infrastructure such as maintenance facilities and additional staff parking.
Stage 3 and 4 join to create a lively, vibrant main street leading to a revitalised civic centre around the Gallipoli Building. Active main street frontages are proposed to include a new Health hub with allied health facilities, and ancillary uses which support daily life.
Stage 4 continues the delivery of retirement living homes and completes further areas of the Village, while
Stage 5 completes the long‑term renewal providing a quieter, more private residential setting that embraces natural bushland views while remaining connected to Village life. A new recreational area, including pickleball courts for residents to enjoy, will bring the vision for a connected, vibrant Village to life.
Stage 1 begins the renewal in the south‑western part of the Village, delivering a welcoming new entry from Lantana Avenue, new retirement living homes, a new Lifestyle Centre and much‑needed open space focused on wellness, activity, and social connection.
Stage 2 builds on this momentum by expanding retirement living close to the new Lifestyle Centre, introducing a generous north‑facing open space and improved pedestrian pathways that better connect new and existing parts of the Village.
Stage 3 introduces an improved entry from Veterans Parade, a new residential care facility and additional retirement living homes, along with a new plaza in front of the Gallipoli Building and Chapel — a flexible, welcoming space designed for remembrance as well as everyday social life, including gatherings, markets, outdoor performances, or quiet moments of connection, supported by a new café.
Stage 1
The first stage of the Village renewal is about creating a new heart for the community, a place where daily life comes together. Shaped by resident feedback, it focuses on what matters most right now: wellbeing, connection, easy access and welcoming places to spend time with others.
This stage introduces a new Lifestyle Centre with modern homes, upgraded facilities and inviting shared spaces, all set within landscaped open areas. It’s designed to make the Village easier to move around, more enjoyable to live in, and better equipped to support residents today, while preparing for the future.
Retirement Living units
Stage 1 proposes seventy-eight (78) retirement living apartments across two buildings at five and six storeys, seven (7) two storey townhouses and new community facilities.
Introducing new seniors housing in Stage 1 creates a significant opportunity to invest in a new Lifestyle Centre for the benefit of the whole Village. The number of new homes proposed in this stage helps ensure these facilities are easily accessible to a broad range of residents, while also supporting the funding required for their delivery.
Open space
By using mid‑rise buildings, we can keep more ground space for gardens, trees, wider walking paths and comfortable outdoor places to sit and relax. Stage 1 adds more green space in the south of the Village, with easy paths for walking and places to meet family, friends and neighbours.
Community facilities
Stage 1 will deliver the new Lifestyle Centre, designed as a vibrant hub for the whole community. It is proposed to include a new pool, gym, function centre, arts and crafts space, hair and beauty services, and a café.
Stage 1 lifestyle precinct illustration
Stage 1 lifestyle precinct floor plan
Design and Environment
Environmental impact statement and technical reports
An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for the development application. It assesses environmental, social and economic impacts and outlines measures to avoid, minimise or manage impacts. Specialist reports prepared to inform the EIS include arboricultural, biodiversity, bushfire, heritage, traffic, sustainable design and many more.
Pedestrians
We’re improving walking paths across the Village so it’s easier and safer to get around every day. Paths will be wider, more level and better connected, making them more comfortable for people walking, using mobility aids or using scooters. Clearer routes also help reduce trips and falls and make it easier to spend time outdoors and stay connected.
Transport
We’re planning a safer, simpler way to get around RSL ANZAC Village including better walking paths and accessibility, and dedicated scooter lanes where possible. We’re also improving public transport within the Village, with new bus stops and the potential for more frequent services over time. Internal road upgrades are also planned to improve safety and access, including a new roundabout at Veterans Parade and Edgecliff Boulevard, a dedicated bus entry via Lantana Avenue, and better routes for service and emergency vehicles. Traffic modelling indicates the proposal would not significantly change current traffic conditions compared with today (2026) and future conditions (2040).
Parking
Parking is being planned to make everyday visits and appointments easier for residents, visitors and employees. It includes a mix of basement and ground‑level parking, plus a dedicated staff car park to help manage shift changes and reduce overflow into nearby streets. Because parts of the Village are steep and many residents have mobility needs, we’re also allowing for short, direct drop‑off and access to some buildings.
Building heights
The renewal proposes mid-rise buildings between two and eight storeys, a height range that already exists within the Village. This approach responds to the sloping topography and avoids repeating low-rise sprawl across the hillside, which consumes ground space.
By using mid-rise buildings with smaller footprints, more of the ground plane can be used for landscaped gardens, tree canopy, wider pedestrian paths and high-amenity communal outdoor spaces. Building heights are reduced towards neighbouring streets to soften visual impact and ensure a gentle transition to surrounding areas.
Bushfire, trees and wildlife
We know the Village’s bushland setting and wildlife are important to residents.
Bushfire, tree and ecology specialists are guiding the design. Some trees will need to be removed to meet bushfire safety standards, and new development requirements, but we’ll manage this carefully through staged removal, early replanting (including mature trees where possible), prioritising native species, a two‑for‑one tree replacement commitment, and biodiversity credits.
These steps help balance safety with the Village’s natural character, strengthening environmental values over time.
Green spaces
The Concept Plan aims to improve green space and landscape quality by reducing building site coverage and opening more ground-level space for greenery, landscaped gardens and outdoor amenity. This also strengthens connection with nature through tree canopy, walking paths and shaded communal spaces that support wellbeing and everyday enjoyment.
Sustainability
The Village renewal includes sustainability features such as energy‑efficient buildings, solar power, water‑saving and reuse, and more native trees and planting. New buildings will also use more sustainable materials and be ready for electric vehicles.
Living through the Renewal
Residents, team members and local community living through renewal
The renewal is delivered progressively over 10–15 years in carefully sequenced stages to minimise disruption. Construction is expected to occur primarily one stage at a time, with formal management plans used to reduce impacts on residents, neighbours and daily operations.
Construction
- Clear planning before works begin
A detailed Construction Management Plan will be prepared before construction starts, setting clear expectations, safeguards and oversight.
- Minimising disruption to daily life
Construction activities will be carefully planned and staged to reduce noise and disruption wherever possible, supported by dust and noise controls, visual screening, and ongoing monitoring and reporting.
- Traffic and pedestrian safety
Defined truck routes, scheduled deliveries, pedestrian safety measures, parking controls and maintained emergency access will support safe movement around the Village.
- Safe and secure work zones
Construction areas will be clearly separated from everyday spaces, with secure fencing, clear signage and controlled access throughout the works.
- Strong supervision, safety and continuity of care
Ongoing site supervision will ensure all works meet strict workplace and public safety requirements. Care and support services will continue throughout the renewal process, maintaining familiar routines and confidence for residents.
What RSL ANZAC Village residents can expect
- Rights stay protected
Existing retirement living agreements remain in place, with no loss of rights, tenure or protections throughout the renewal and any relocation.
- Care continues without disadvantage
For residents receiving aged care, continuity of care is maintained. Fees, entitlements and access to care do not change because of relocation.
- No relocation costs
If a move is required, residents will not be out of pocket. Reasonable relocation costs, including packing, removal and reconnection of utilities, are covered.
- Handled with care and respect
Where relocation is necessary, it is managed individually, guided by one on one conversations and strong protections under the Retirement Villages Act and the Aged Care Act.
What RSL ANZAC Village team members can expect
- Staying informed and connected
Clear, ongoing communication keeping team members informed and involved throughout the move.
- Work continues as planned
Day-to-day work continues, with changes carefully managed to minimise disruption.
- Handled with care
Any relocation or work arrangement changes are managed individually, with respect for roles and circumstances.
- Clear protections and support
All changes follow workplace legislation, policies and processes.
What the wider local community can expect
- Local jobs and economic benefit
The renewal supports long term employment and economic activity across the Northern Beaches. Construction and ongoing operations create local jobs, with Stage 1 alone delivering hundreds of construction roles and new permanent positions.
- Renewing essential infrastructure
Upgrading ageing infrastructure ensures the Village operates safely, reliably and efficiently, supporting current needs and future growth.
- A community place strengthened
The renewal is a long term investment in an established seniors and veterans community, reinforcing the Village’s role as a valued place of care, connection and continuity.
- Longterm outcomes across the masterplan
Over time, the Concept Plan supports ageing in place, stronger connection and a broader continuum of care, with village‑wide accessibility, social and environmental upgrades delivering lasting community wellbeing through resident‑centred staging.
Planning Approvals
Before any Renewal works can begin, RSL LifeCare must obtain development approval from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. This approval is being sought through the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) process.
We are at the third step having just lodged our SSDA with DPHI. This will be shortly followed by the Public Exhibition step.
More information about the process is available on the NSW Government’s planning portal.
NSW Government Planning Portal
Planning approval process
There are seven steps to the SSDA process:
- Request the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs)
- Prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- Lodge the SSDA with DPHI
- Public Exhibition
- Respond to submissions
- Government Assessment
- Determination (Approval or Refusal)
Timelines
Process timeline
Below indicates where we are in the SSDA, design, planning and construction process:
Design and construction timeline
The stages outlined below demonstrate the pathway from early design through to construction completion.
Key Facts and History
| Location | 90 Veterans Parade, Narrabeen |
| Total Village Area | Approximately 44 hectares |
| SSDA Area | 38 hectares (south of Colooli Road) |
| Current Retirement Living Homes | 720 independent living units |
| Current Aged Care Beds | About 350 in operation |
A legacy carried forward
The village is of its rich history, especially the veteran and military connections, both past and present. RSL ANZAC Village will always be a home for veterans, ever remaining a place to share stories, attend commemorative events, and contribute to the community. The Village will continue to provide concessional housing for veterans and their families, and support for senior veterans.
The Village will continue to be a custodian of one of the most important and vast collections of veteran memorabilia in Australia. The legacy has seen the Village become a place of cultural and natural significance in the Northern Beaches community and for many across NSW, with significant events, such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day well attended each year.
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