$22m build delay after Jaxon collapse

An aged care group is seeking a two-year extension to its 102-bed facility timeline after struggling to progress with the collapse of its builder Jaxon.

The Western Australian Planning Commission approved Roshana Care Group’s $22 million proposal for a residential aged care facility at 16-20 Duncan Street in Victoria Park, at its meeting in March 2021.

The four-storey development, named Burswood Care, includes a café on the ground floor.

A condition imposed on the proponent was the approval lapsing if the development was not substantially commenced within 18 months.

However, the proponent has asked to amend the approval’s timeframe to navigate the difficult processes in the construction industry.

Hidding Urban Planning director Nik Hidding is acting on behalf of Roshana Care Group and lodged the extension request late last month.

“The proponent has been hampered by the effects of the construction industry, including the liquidation of Jaxon, which was the proponent’s initial builder for the project,” Mr Hidding said.

“Liquidation of Jaxon in September 2021 put the project on hold for several months.”

A 31-bed facility, operated by Roshana Care Group, currently stands at the Duncan Street site.

Roshana is building a facility in Midland to relocate the 31 mental health residents, which has also been impacted by material shortages and labour supply.

"The Midland facility was originally planned for completion in the first quarter of 2022, however this is now planned to be completed by April 2023," Mr Hidding said in the request.

"Therefore, only after April 2023 can the existing mental health facility be demolished and construction commenced. The mental health residents require an approved facility to reside in, so they cannot be temporarily relocated.

"There are, of course, stringent requirements for a facility like this to operate. The proponent has little choice therefore, but to wait for the construction of the Midland facility to be completed before relocating the residents."

The WAPC is seeking public feedback on the proposed timeframe extension via the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website until October 3.

Roshana submitted plans for a residential aged care development to the Town of Victoria Park, to be assessed under the standard Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP), in 2020.

The group withdrew its application before a JDAP determination and submitted an application through the state government's State Development Assessment Unit which was approved by the WAPC.