A public car park in Redfern, valued at $20 million, is being transferred for just $1 so two not-for-profit organisations can design and build a residential aged care facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.
Read: New Aged Care Facility Set to Transform Redfern Community
The site at 49 Cope Street, currently a 55-space paid public car park, will be redeveloped into a not-for-profit facility offering at least 50 affordable aged care places.
According to information from the City of Sydney, the land will be sold to the successful provider for a nominal fee of $1, with a covenant placed on the title to ensure the property is used for affordable residential aged care in perpetuity. The redevelopment also requires the creation of a 55-place underground car park, which will be returned to council for public use.
Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care and Uniting NSW.ACT have been selected to partner on this project. Under the agreement, both organisations will jointly design and construct the facility. Over time, Uniting NSW.ACT will hand over full ownership and operation to Wyanga, so the aged care home becomes fully controlled by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
It is also required to be delivered by, or in partnership with, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations or Aboriginal providers. Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and staff are expected to play a central role in the operations of the facility.
The underground relocation of the existing 55 parking spaces ensures that public parking is maintained even after the aged care facility is built. Council documents confirm that this car park will remain under city control once completed.
The redevelopment is part of the City of Sydney’s drive to repurpose underused land for social benefit. The project follows a formal expression of interest process, and the council endorsed the transfer in a resolution made in August 2025.
For Wyanga, which has operated in the area for decades, the project represents a significant expansion of its services. The agreement with Uniting NSW.ACT reflects a strategy in which Wyanga will ultimately run a culturally safe aged care home that is community-led.
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The redevelopment of the Redfern car park into an Aboriginal-led aged care home comes amid broader concern about aged care capacity. Reports note that there is significant pressure on hospital systems due to delays in securing aged care and NDIS placements, emphasising the need for culturally appropriate care models.
The plan secures affordable aged care for Elders in Redfern, ensures long-term cultural stewardship by Aboriginal organisations, and retains vital public parking — all on a single site.
Published 17-November-2025
