The University of Canberra is to build an intergenerational retirement community on its Bruce campus, the second of its kind in Australia.

The development will include 230 independent living units, a 180-bed residential care community, community wellness facilities and extension to the university’s health precinct, linking UC Hospital and UC Health Hub.

Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten says: “This project will create a living and learning environment where older Australians can stay engaged, active, and connected – not only with health services, but with ideas, students and the vibrant university campus life.”

Designed to complement the university’s existing health infrastructure, the land will be leased to project partners Pariter and Opal Healthcare under a 100-year agreement.

Tom Roche, the CEO of Pariter, a specialist developer, says: “This is a smart precinct development with long-term community impact at its core.”

Designed to “unlock educational and research benefits”, Mr Shorten says the community space will also provide student placement opportunities locally and nationally, include collaborative employment programs, aged-care retirement living research and co-designed learning programs.

“It will create a benchmark for intergenerational living on University campuses, one which I hope will be replicated across the country in years to come,” says he says.