Regional aged care receives funding for the future
Almost $5 million dollars of funding has been secured by aged care provider The Whiddon Group as part of the Federal Government’s $220 million Regional Jobs and Investment package.
The Whiddon Group’s Kyogle site is soon to receive a new addition (Source: Shutterstock)
The funding, which aims to support economic growth and job creation in regional Australia, will not only boost jobs within the aged care industry, but also allow the not-for-profit provider to undertake a project to grow the numbers of residential places at their Kyogle aged care home in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales from 40 to 63, in turn increasing staffing numbers.
Whiddon Group Chief Executive Officer Chris Mamarelis welcomes the news and says the funding, which will contribute to the $10 million project, will help ensure that Whiddon are “meeting the current and future needs of older people in Kyogle.
“This is fantastic news for the Kyogle community; without this support the project, which would cost close to $10 million, would not be possible,” he says.
“Thanks to the funding, together with our investment of $5 million, we can deliver a 23 place extension to our Kyogle home to help meet the needs of the local region for high quality aged care places.”
Mr Mamarelis extends his “sincere thanks” to the community members who supported the funding application, as well as Member for Page Kevin Hogan, who he says has supported Whiddon to achieve a number of important aged care growth projects in the region.
As part of the new project there will be:
Construction of a new wing at Whiddon Kyogle with 23 new aged care places that were allocated in the 2016 Aged Care Approvals Round
A range of accommodation options, including single and double rooms with ensuites, dementia specific and high care
Secure courtyards to promote outdoor living and ready access t gardens
A new servery to service two dining rooms
New laundry to service a larger aged care home with additional residents
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh announced the funding for the North Coast region’s successful grant recipients on 2 February 2018 says projects like that being undertaken by the Whiddon Group are “what will support the community for years to come”.
“The Coalition Government is committed to strengthening regional Australia and as part of that commitment, we are helping regions like the Northern Rivers, drive economic growth and create local jobs,” he says.
The construction of the Kyogle extension is expected to take around 12 months to complete and will commence in late 2018, following additional planning and Development Application approval phases.
