Royal Far West (RFW) has officially commenced construction of its beachfront development, breaking ground today on the Manly beachfront site with construction partner Multiplex, to help support the organisation’s mission of improving the health and wellbeing of country children nationwide. 

Following the completion of early and enabling works, a Smoking Ceremony and sod turning ceremony took place on the future site of the RFW development and was attended by Zali Steggall OAM, Member for Warringah, and internationally renowned architects Glenn Murcutt AO and Angelo Candalapas, who were commissioned by RFW to design the iconic RFW Neighbourhood. 

The Manly based charity is a specialist child development service which provides vital paediatric and  allied health services and support to country children to enrich their development. For nearly 100 years, RFW has welcomed children and their families to their Manly facility for health treatment, while also  pioneering telehealth services to remote areas across Australia. 

The development of Royal Far West’s land is a bold new approach to future proof the sustainability of the  charity and its ability to gift vital paediatric health services, in response to the growing need from country  children and families who are unable to access vital services in the bush.  

Royal Far West appointed Multiplex as the construction partner for the RFW Neighbourhood in February  2024, and the development comprises waterfront apartments, revitalised accommodation for country  families as well as a blend of retail, commercial and lifestyle-related spaces. The development  underscores the commitment by RFW to deliver an iconic neighbourhood to support healthy country  children as well as provide amenity to the northern beaches’ community.  

In the last decade, the number of children and families RFW has supported has increased exponentially  with a 69% increase in beneficiaries in 2023 alone, and the need for support continues to grow. Currently, children in regional and remote Australia are waiting up to six years to see a paediatrician or there are no services at all. This, coupled with compounding natural disasters, such as bushfires and  floods, has seen the number of country kids in need of developmental and mental health services  drastically increase.  

Joan Treweeke OAM LLB, RFW’s Board Chairman, says this development is an important step towards securing the future for Royal Far West and Australia’s country kids. 

“At Royal Far West we have been proudly delivering health services from our home in Manly for almost 100 years, and this development will play an important role in ensuring we can continue to gift essential  healthcare to those most in need for another 100 years to come.” 

“Where you live should not be a barrier, nor a cause for disadvantage, yet 190,000 children in rural and  remote Australia have health and development needs that are not being met. Royal Far West aims to  bridge this gap, to ensure that all country children can reach their full potential.” 

Multiplex’s NSW Regional Managing Director, David Ghannoum, said Multiplex was looking forward to  partnering with RFW to deliver the development for the charity, for purchasers and the community.  

“We’re delighted to mark the start of construction and are proud to be delivering this world-class development for the charity, enabling them to bolster their services and expand their impact for country  kids. We look forward to progressing on site and leaving a legacy that will benefit generations to come.”