Demolition done as development of Australia’s first dementia village gets underway

Announced last year, the Korongee Village built in Glenorchy, Tasmania will be the nation’s first village-style dementia village taking the form of a typical cul-de-sac streetscape, with the aim of allowing residents to feel at home and wander freely within a safe and supported environment.

The $25 million concept is the the outcome of a partnership between Glenview Community Services, HESTA, Social Ventures Australia, and assistance from the Commonwealth Government.

Glenview Community Services Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lucy O’Flaherty says the announcement and decision on an architectural firm for the project was part of an “extensive application process”.

She adds that Melbourne firm Thomson Adsett were chosen out of 16 submissions of expression of interest for their “strong working knowledge of dementia care design and future trends in national markets”.

“From the original submitting firms, four were identified as having the prerequisite skills and experience for the project and were invited to submit a design proposal to a specific design brief,” Ms O’Flaherty says.

“During the presentation process, it became clear that Thomson Adsett were well versed in their knowledge of innovative dementia care design and, importantly, how dementia care facility should operate.”

She adds that while the chosen firm is a mainland based firm, to ensure an appreciation of the unique Tasmanian environment, the services of a local architect have been engaged.

This local firm has been studying dementia design as well as Tasmanian subject matter expert representative.

With these new steps taken to start the much-anticipated project, Ms O’Flaherty says Glenview Community Services is “very excited to be entering 2018”, a year which will see the release of the innovative design and the construction well underway of the nation’s first dementia village.

“For me personally, it’s incredibly gratifying to see this village come to fruition and to be in a position to offer people living with dementia who need support an authentic life, which will allow them to do the simple everyday things they have done throughout their lives,” she says.

“2018 will see a huge amount of aspirational planning turned into real bricks and mortar.”

While construction is expected to be underway early this year, the village is not expected to be completed until mid to late 2019.