Prominent Tasmanian businessman Errol Stewart has unveiled plans to transform the former Mary’s Grange Nursing Home into a modern residential complex featuring 15 apartments.
The Taroona facility, which once provided care for up to 105 elderly residents, operated from the 1950s until 2020 and has sat vacant for the past four years.
Planning documents submitted to the Kingborough Council outline a proposal to refurbish existing buildings and consolidate lots, creating a combined 10,494m2 site.
Under Stewart’s plan, Grange House will be converted into a four-bedroom residence with living areas, a kitchen, bathrooms, a laundry, storage and a two-car garage.
The Mary Potter Apartments building will be reconfigured to accommodate three four-bedroom apartments, while the “dilapidated” main Mary’s Grange building will be partially demolished.
“This will enable the construction of higher quality development that is more sympathetic to the streetscape and better responds to the local character of the area,” developers said.
A new three-storey building, to be known as Grange Apartments, will also be constructed, housing six three-bedroom dwellings.
The existing Mary’s Grange Chapel building will be refurbished to create a five-bedroom apartment and the Mary’s Grange Lovell building will be converted into two four-bedroom apartments.
Local resident Julian Roscoe told Pulse that while many support redeveloping the site, concerns remain within the community.
He said the project could set a precedent for developers to buy large lots, circumvent planning rules and “destroy the current low-density character of the suburb”.
He also expressed concerns that the three-storey component might compromise Taroona’s “idyllic seaside character”.
“All the residents I have spoken to in surrounding streets are very keen to see the Mary’s Grange site redeveloped,” he said.
“But everyone is equally adamant it should be done within the confines of the planning scheme.”
Developers remain confident that the project meets the relevant planning regulations, however the final decision will rest with council staff and councillors following a thorough review process.
Local residents wishing to provide feedback have until March 7.
