The whole complex – including residential aged care, community care and independent living units – is being sold to Catholic Healthcare Limited, with binding contracts already signed.

Scott Oehm, the chairman of The Haven Community Limited, has said the sale included “strict safeguards” for residents and staff.

Residents would retain their places under existing contract arrangements and staff would retain their entitlements and would be offered roles with Catholic Healthcare, Mr Oehm said.

In a letter already distributed, occupants have been assured their existing residential agreements would continue.

A spokeswoman for The Haven said that for residents, this would mean no one would have to pay any extra accommodation deposit and the residents’ fees would remain as they were according to current agreements.

Shane McMullen, The Haven’s chief executive officer, has said residents “will continue to be cared for by the same friendly and familiar people” as all staff would be offered continuing roles under their existing terms and conditions.

Catholic Healthcare does not currently have an aged care facility in Wagga, although it already provides home and community care services in the city.

It does operate aged care facilities at Tumut, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Orange, Forbes and Dubbo.

Completion of the sale is subject to conditions, including approval from the Department of Health, and is expected to occur by mid-December 2018.

The Haven caters for up to 148 people in its residential aged care section, while home care is provided for up to 150 aged people in the community.

There are also independent living rental units, the number of which was increased to about 70 by a recent redevelopment.

The establishment of The Haven dates back to early the 1950s when Eric Roberts, the owner of what was then the 2WG radio station, bought the land in Bourke Street and granted it to the 2WG Women’s Club, which began fundraising for the development of The Haven.

Mr Roberts’ wife Ida, who was better known by her radio name of Aunty Nan, was one of the driving forces behind the club and its efforts to establish The Haven.