The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay and property developer Stockland have partnered to redevelop its Our Lady Help of Christians Church and School at Epping, 22km from the Sydney CBD.

The development proposal which Stockland plans to submit later this year will feature around 200 independent retirement living apartments, a 132-bed residential aged care facility and a new primary school for 220 students, whilst preserving the original heritage-listed church.

Other amenities will include a priest’s residence, retail space, increased green space, a new parish and underground school parking.

Parish priest Father Peter Dowd said a community garden and technology lessons from students to the village residents were also being explored and added that the parish had taken many years to determine its vision about creating a multi-generational community where people can interact and add value to each other’s lives.

Epping continues to be one of Sydney’s fastest growing areas for young people and those aged over 60 and this proposal responds to growing population demand in the area according to Stockland’s retirement living chief executive Stephen Bull.

He believes the joint development would collaboratively create a vision for a residential community for older Australians, a brand new 21st century primary school and renewed facilities for the local parish.

The school would be relocated in 2020 for 14 months at a yet-to-be determined site.