A development application made to Wagga City Council this month stated that Baptistcare intended to replace its centre on Grampian Place.

"The current [centre] was built over 30 years ago and was designed to meet and exceed the standards and expectations for aged care at that time," the project's environmental effects statement said.

"Since it was built, the design of residential aged care facilities has undergone significant change and improvements, not only in medical research and advances for care of the elderly, but also changed community and market expectations for the quality of aged care."

The new plan calls for one building with five wings and a maximum height of 5.9 metres along with parking for 36 vehicles and the removal of 86 trees for the construction.

A BaptistCare spokesperson said it would take nine to 12 months to complete construction following council approval, which was expected in the first half of 2021.

"Our new aged care home in Wagga will be a renewed best practice 80-resident home, where the built environment enables care that is focused on connecting with residents, knowing their stories and preferences, and supporting each person to live a meaningful life," the spokesperson said.

"All resident rooms are single rooms with private bathrooms and each household has their own family room, dining room, kitchen and multiple breakout spaces. The new café will provide a common space for people to connect and the home has been designed to meet new stringent infection control benchmarks"

NSW/ACT Australian Aged Pensions Group co-ordinator John Hunter said it was good to see BaptistCare wanted to improve its aged care but noted there not be a substantial increase to the number of beds to meet demand.

"If they are going to increase the standards, it sounds like a good idea and I'm sure that there are a lot of aged people, some with no family, who would appreciate that sort of accommodation," he said.

The application stated that the project will be completed in stages so that residents "will remain on site during the construction process".