PLANS IN PROGRESS

WHERE WE ARE…2020…A TOUGH YEAR FOR ALL!

Due to the recent NSW government announcement of the proposed development of the Bungendore education precinct, the Abbeyfield Bungendore house project has been unfortunately delayed. The planned house site is within the precinct and Government plans are that the site will be absorbed into the precinct. As of Dec 2020, we not able to confirm any new potential site or timing of the development and construction of Abbeyfield Bungendore. While this is a real disappointment to the committee and community, Abbeyfield Australia and the Abbeyfield Bungendore committee are working with Council and the NSW government to assess options.

“THE WAY WE WERE”

Abbeyfield Bungendore, along with Abbeyfield Australia, had submitted the DA to Council early in 2020.  This included the agreed house design (12 bedrooms with ensuites and a self contained housekeepers unit), engineering specifications and landscaping plans. Nick Pelle of Oztal Architects prepared plans of the Bungendore Abbeyfield house. Between the regular threats of bushfires in November and December 2019, Kylie Coe (Coe Planning Services) coordinated the DA application process and prepared the EI Statement. Under her guidance, specialists reports were prepared to comply with Council’s conditions. Jennie Curtis (Fresh Landscapes) finalised her designs for the landscaping. Nick, Kylie and Jennie have worked pro bono in recognition of it being a charitable project. Our special thanks to PHL Surveyors for their rapid assistance and donation of the survey plan.

A detailed  Quantity Surveyor’s report put the total cost of the project at $3.5M, priced to reflect current Canberra costs at November 2018 with an allowance for escalation to completion, and design and construction contingencies of 15%.

Included in any design is double glazing, bathrooms with disabled access, internal finishes, air-conditioning, security systems, communications, landscaping, fitments and white-goods. Once finalised, Abbeyfield Australia (assisted by and on behalf of the Abbeyfield Bungendore committee) will be ready to seek further funding for this very worthwhile project from a range of programs. 

The House model is a sustainable and relatively simple concept, and follows the early models set up in the UK.  There is an inspiring video clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEJjBy3Ai0k) explaining the origin of the model by its founder, Richard Carr-Gomm.  The amazing thing is that many of the issues he saw in 1955, are still the same today – not just financial stress, but isolation of the individual!

The concept drawing of the proposed House can be seen here Front view- concept plan . The upper level, for the housekeeper, provides a roomy 2 bedroom unit with private  courtyard and parking area. 

LANDED

Abbeyfield Bungendore gratefully acknowledges the grant of $500,000 in February 2017, under the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Infrastructure funding.  Following the consultation process, the Council committed to assist in finding a suitable block of land. 

On the 26th July 2017, Council agreed to work with Abbeyfield to prepare a long term lease over two adjacent small blocks of land in Majara St Bungendore. Work began to prepare a suitable design and prepare a Development Application. Once the zone adjustments were gazetted to allow for seniors housing, work progressed on a design, so that in early February 2020, a Development Application was submitted to Council.

WELCOME

A very warm welcome to the Bungendore  Abbeyfield Australia project.

This project is to build an Abbeyfield House in Bungendore  – a big undertaking to fill a big gap.

You can learn a little about the model and the project in this YouTube video –  Building a house for Seniors in Bungendore Village

Abbeyfield is all about helping those in our community who need it most.