Our seniors housing architects have gained DA approval for a development at Freshwater , under a NSW government program that creates housing for older Australians and people with a disability.
Home, sweet home.
Doesn’t it feel good to say that about the space you spend so much time in?
For many people, their home provides security and privacy from the outside world. It’s also a haven of comfort, where practical needs are met.
But not everyone is so fortunate.
People living with a disability and senior Australians must contend with a shortage of suitable housing, on top of the challenges they face every day.
Appropriate lodging is difficult to find, especially for people who don’t have extra money to spend.
In Australia, one in five people have a disability and around 15 percent of the population is aged 65 and over. This number is expected to grow over the years, as Australia’s population grows older – putting even more pressure on suitable housing services to keep up.
The NSW government hopes to tackle this issue through a housing scheme that provides suitable living spaces for seniors and people with a disability. Their SEPP program has been running since 1982.
It allows the target group to live in areas where specialised housing isn’t usually permitted, due to council constraints.
Developers can sidestep local planning restrictions to build dwellings that can be easily cater for or be modified at a later date, depending on what the occupants need.
Research shows that adaptable housing is a cost-effective industry. Making a house adaptable from the outset (design phase) doesn’t cost any more, whereas amending an existing house costs more, adding up to 35 percent in costs.
Who benefits from affordable senior housing and disability housing?
The main goal is to build houses and communities that deliver physical and emotional support to seniors and people living with a disability.
SEPP Seniors Living creates housing for:
These independent dwellings are designed to support everyday living, provide comfort and boost a sense of community.
How does SEPP create disability housing and “over-55 living”?
The SEPP program works by giving developers incentive to construct suitable dwellings that meet particular criteria.
Developers using the scheme can override a few local planning restrictions:
What criteria must dwellings meet for disability housing and over-55 communities?
Only people with a disability or seniors can live in the homes, under the policy. The homes must be close to:
Regular public transport to:
All nearby travel routes must be easy to access and main roads need to have safe pedestrian crossing points.
The dwellings are specifically constructed with safety measures, comfort and convenience in mind. For example, a shower for seniors may be fitted with a removable screen, instead of a hob (which often leads to tripping).
Under the scheme, the housing options are:
Our senior living architects design over-55 communities and disability housing:
Playoust Churcher is excited to announce the DA approval of a a SEPP seniors development at Freshwater with views to the ocean. These units offer amenity and practicability to downsizers amid a great location.
The development will be under construction in the latter half of this year.
It’s about more than glass doors—it’s the art of integrating a home within its environment so naturally that doors fade from view, framing nature as the core element of your living space.
In a Castlecrag project, verandahs were removed and sliding glass doors were engineered to retract fully beyond the building’s edge—creating a seamless transition to the outdoor terrace and making the view the true focal point.
Absolutely. In a St Ives renovation, new pavilions were constructed with detached glazing and bifold doors—maintaining classic aesthetics while delivering panoramic views and seamless garden connection.
A home in Dee Why uses multiple pavilions connected by glass bridges and stairs—bringing the landscape deep into the interior. Decks and garden terraces extend living zones right into the natural setting.
The NSW SEPP Seniors Living program enables architects and developers to bypass typical zoning restrictions, facilitating the design of accessible housing for seniors and those with disabilities in areas ordinarily limited to detached residences.
Integrating adaptable design features—like zero-step showers or wider doorways—during the initial design phase doesn’t add to upfront costs, but retrofitting accessibility can increase expenses by up to 35%.
SEPP Seniors Living enables a wide spectrum of housing solutions—from standalone villas and serviced self-care units to retirement-style villages—designed to meet varying levels of independence, support, and community engagement.
Beyond compliance, these designs are crafted to offer physical comfort, emotional well‑being, and community connectivity—creating homes that genuinely feel secure, functional, and uplifting for occupants.
Managing Director & Nominated Architect
NSW Architect Registration No. 5924
With over 30 years of architectural experience, Brett Churcher leads Playoust Churcher Architects with a rare combination of design expertise and commercial insight. As a registered architect and Managing Director, Brett has played a pivotal role in delivering high-end single residential homes and boutique medium-density developments across Sydney’s North Shore and beyond.
Brett’s unique strength lies in his deep understanding of both architectural design and the Sydney property market. His valuation background enables him to align creative vision with practical feasibility, ensuring each project achieves both aesthetic excellence and financial viability.
At Playoust Churcher, Brett drives the studio’s growth, strategy, and leadership, while remaining closely connected to what matters most: the client. His ability to see the bigger picture from a client’s perspective and to guide projects seamlessly through the design process is at the heart of his role and reputation.
Reach out to Brett to explore how Playoust Churcher can bring it to life—with clarity, creativity and confidence.
Concept: Creating a light, airy, character-filled three-level Hampton-style beach home on a small corner site
Concept: Adapting a beautiful family heritage home in a quiet street on a large site to suit the family’s lifestyle
Concept: Designing a new family home that maximises the views and introduces a sense of open space
Concept: A complex yet successful renovation of this stunning heritage home in a conservation area
Concept: A 1970s build transformed into a bright, open design maximising stunning harbour views
Concept: A complete rebuild of half the property over two levels, whilst also incorporating the property next door
Concept: A majestic holiday home that pushes the design envelop, blending sustainable materials and natural light
Concept: A major ground floor renovation of a large estate with a new three-car garage and 14 metre pool
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