Maroubra Aged Care Precinct Approved After Major Plan Revision

A revised Maroubra seniors housing development has been approved for Malabar Road, reducing an earlier larger scheme while keeping a mix of residential aged care, independent living, assisted living and shared facilities near the coast.



Smaller Maroubra Scheme Approved For Malabar Road

A long-running seniors housing proposal in Maroubra has reached a new milestone, with a revised plan approved for 481–499 Malabar Road after the earlier development was reduced in scale.

The approved modification changes the project from 164 beds to 99 beds. The earlier scheme comprised 108 residential aged care units and 56 independent living units, while the revised plan now comprises 44 residential aged care units, 41 independent living units and 14 assisted living units.

The change reshapes the size and accommodation mix of the precinct while keeping the site focused on seniors housing, care and related shared facilities.

Maroubra seniors housing
Photo Credit: DA/631/2018/A

Design Changes Included In The Maroubra Approval

The approved modification includes several changes to the way the Malabar Road site will be arranged and accessed. Gates have been removed from the plan, while the Mons Avenue side of the development has been adjusted to break up the appearance of the built form.

The porte-cochere and basement access previously planned from Mons Avenue have also been removed. Loading and basement vehicle access have instead been consolidated from Malabar Road.

Other changes include alterations to residential aged care facility rooms, a rooftop communal open space and the relocation of the café. The broader precinct is also planned to include community and wellness services, shared areas, renewed landscaping and improved pedestrian connections.

The site is about 300 metres from the beach, placing the project within a coastal part of Maroubra.

seniors housing
Photo Credit: DA/631/2018/A

Earlier Approval Was Later Reworked

Catholic Healthcare acquired the Malabar Road site in 2016. An earlier approval was granted in 2019 for a larger development, which included 108 residential aged care units, 56 co-located independent living units and an on-site community and wellness facility.

That plan was later refined after delays linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission and updated market research into the needs of older people in the Maroubra area.

The revised application was lodged on 5 November 2025 and referred on 3 March 2026. The modification was approved on 8 April 2026.

Catholic Healthcare
Photo Credit: DA/631/2018/A

Catholic Healthcare Plans Wider Investment

The Maroubra project forms part of Catholic Healthcare’s plan to invest more than $600 million over five years into five integrated living communities across New South Wales.

Other developments are under way in Wahroonga, Blacktown and Forbes, with another planned for Lewisham.



The approval sets the revised direction for a smaller seniors housing precinct combining residential aged care, independent living, assisted living, wellness services, communal open space and a café on the Malabar Road site.

Published 28-Apr-2026

Fatal Motorcycle Crash Claims Life in Maroubra

A tragic incident unfolded in Malabar Road, Maroubra 10 pm on Sunday, April 14, resulting in a fatal motorcycle crash.



Emergency services responded immediately to reports of a motorcycle crash. Upon arrival, police discovered a severely damaged motorcycle and its rider lying on a nearby grassy area. It appears the rider was ejected from the vehicle during the incident.

Despite the swift response of NSW Ambulance paramedics, who administered immediate treatment at the scene, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead. The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

A crime scene was established at the location, and police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. As part of their inquiry, they are appealing to the public for any information that might assist in determining the cause of the accident.



Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online. The police have assured the community that all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

As the investigation continues, a report will be prepared for the coroner. The Maroubra community awaits further details and reflects on this tragic loss of life on their local streets.

Published 15-April-2024

Former Convenience Store on Malabar Road Could Become a Pet Clinic

For 30 years, a convenience store on Malabar Road in Maroubra traded and served the locals. Since the business closed, a plan has been lodged to develop the commercial site into a pet clinic.

Shane Abood and Dr Sally Pegrum, the owners of the Pyrmont Vet Clinic, filed a development application with the Randwick Council to change the former EzyMart store into a veterinary facility. It will be named the Coogee Veterinary Hospital.  



The proposal, filed in March 2019, indicated that there won’t be any structural changes made to the site but there will be some internal changes once the Council approves the application.

Specifically, the two-storey building will be divided into two consulting rooms, treatment rooms, x-ray area, wet prep room, an operating theater, grooming area, pet store, and the reception.

Photo Credit: Randwick Council

“The site is suitable to accept the proposed development and the design is sympathetic to the surrounding sites. As there are no nearby veterinary hospitals we feel it is an excellent opportunity to maintain herd health and the entire community,” the proposal stated.



A decision has not yet been made regarding this plan. In the middle of May 2019, Randwick Council has referred the matter to engineering for further assessment.

If approved, however, the Coogee Veterinary Hospital will have around two to four staff and its hour of operation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the weekdays, and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.