Japara’s general manager of real estate Toby Hicks said 30 of the 90 rooms at Riverside Residential Care would be part of a Memory Support Unit for those with dementia.

“The facility is being constructed over three levels with the upper two containing rooms for our residents,” he said.

“Just over $17 million in local investment will be generated by the development, which represents 39 per cent of investment in aged-care facilities in the Launceston (area) between July 2012 and December 2015.

“Launceston has been a significant location for investment in aged-care facilities in recent years and the development [will] continue to place the Launceston region at the forefront of aged-care investment and development in Tasmania.”

Mr Hicks said ongoing employment at the facility was estimated at approximately 115 direct jobs or 75 FTE positions.

“These direct jobs are expected to generate in the order of $5.1 million in wages, a significant proportion of which will support local businesses,” he said.

“A further 70 indirect FTE jobs will be supported throughout the wider economy.”

The development was approved by the West Tamar Council in December 2014, despite receiving more than 18 objections, including a petition.

Objections raised by residents included lack of parking, increased traffic, impact on streetscape, inappropriateness of the location, size and intensity of the development, and loss of privacy.

A number signs, protesting the council’s approval of the development, remain in front of the homes of Cormiston Road residents.

Mr Hicks said the location was chosen primarily as large parcels of land were very rare.

“This site met our criteria for creating a 90-bed residence with second to none views over the lovely Tamar River and valley,” he said.

Japara Healthcare operates another 132-bed facility at South Launceston called Sandhill.