The historic Gold Creek Homestead has officially reopened, marking an important milestone for residents of The Grove Ngunnawal and the wider Ngunnawal community.
The restored homestead was opened by Nathan Cockerill, CEO of Keyton, following the completion of extensive restoration and adaptive reuse works that return the 19th century buildings to active community use.
The project forms part of the broader expansion of The Grove Ngunnawal, an established retirement living community in Canberra’s north, and reflects Keyton’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, high-quality developments that respect local history while meeting contemporary community needs.
The Gold Creek Homestead and outbuildings have been transformed into a multipurpose community and function space, supported by enhanced gardens and open spaces, all integrated into the existing village.
The overall extension project also includes 45 additional independent living homes, creating greater choice and opportunity for seniors to age well within their community.
The restoration was shaped through community consultation undertaken in partnership with the ACT Government’s Suburban Land Agency (SLA), ensuring the future use of the homestead reflected community expectations and commitments made during the planning process.
Works on the site also recognised the cultural significance of the area, with Indigenous artefacts uncovered during construction carefully managed in line with regulatory requirements, reinforcing respect for the site’s deep and enduring connection to Ngunnawal Country.
Keyton CEO Nathan Cockerill said the opening was a moment worth celebrating for residents and the broader community.
“This is about more than restoring a building,” Mr Cockerill said. “It’s about creating a place where history, community and retirement living come together in a meaningful way.”
While unable to attend the opening, ACT Minister for Heritage, Chris Steel welcomed the project and its contribution to heritage and community outcomes.
“The restoration and adaptation of the Gold Creek Homestead is a fantastic outcome for heritage and the community,” Mr Steel said.
“This project preserves the character and cultural significance of the homestead while giving it new life as a shared community asset and is an example of how historically significant sites can be preserved while building for the future.”
The opening was attended by Ashlee Berry, Executive Director ACT and Capital Region, Property Council of Australia, along with residents and representatives from project partners, Monarch Building Solutions and the SLA.
"The extension of The Grove, and the refurbishment of The Homestead, is a fine example of retirement living right in the heart of Canberra,” Ms Berry said.
“There is no doubt that with an ageing population, we need more retirement villages, and we need them in our existing suburbs so that residents can continue to engage with and enjoy their local community.
"We're thrilled to be hosting our Retirement Living Forum at Keyton's The Grove Village this year, to showcase this great development to our members and industry. Supporting the retirement living sector, by making sure that appropriately zoned land is released for sale and making sure that the regulatory and taxation environment is fit for purpose, are key priorities for our industry.”
Keyton acquired the site from the ACT Government through an open tender process and has retained ownership and management of the homestead and its immediate surrounds. While the buildings are not heritage listed, the restoration was informed by planning approvals, community consultation and a strong focus on cultural and historical respect.
By extending The Grove Ngunnawal and delivering new seniors appropriate housing alongside community infrastructure, the project supports healthier ageing, helping residents remain active, connected and living independently for longer, with the well-recognised benefits this brings to wellbeing and reduced pressure on hospitals and residential aged care.
About us:
Keyton is a leading owner and operator of independent retirement living communities in Australia with more than 65 villages nationally and 15,000 residents across the country. Keyton has over 30 years' experience in the market and an ongoing commitment to creating communities and care for residents.
Contact details:
Tim Mahony on 0402 059 987 or [email protected]
Mark Eggleton on 0430 095 111 or [email protected]
