$13 million for aged care centre

A MAJOR re-development and expansion of Creswick’s John Curtin Residential Aged Care Centre is expected to start early next year following last week’s announcement of thirteen million dollars in Federal funding for the project.

Member for Ballarat Catherine King last Wednesday visited the centre to announce that the Federal Government will be contributing to the project through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, after the local aged care provider successfully lodged an application.

“This is an investment not just in the facility but also in the town’s future,” Ms King said.

The Federal contribution will make up a key component of the overall $18 million redevelopment with the centre itself providing $5 million toward the project that will significantly increase residential capacity and also employment opportunities.

“This is a $13 million investment in the Creswick community, in the many local contractors who will deliver the works, in the staff who’ll be employed as a result of the redevelopment, and most importantly in local families and in the future of older people in our area.” Ms King said.

A registered charity, John Curtin Residential Aged Care, was established in 1986 to serve the Creswick community and currently consists of 65 permanent rooms as well as 19 independent living units.

The $13 million is expected to facilitate construction of a new 18 bed residential support wing, increasing the total number of beds from 65 to 93. The funding will also allow for the refurbishment of 35 of the smaller existing rooms.

John Curtin Residential Aged Care president Sue Craven said work is expected to take place over four years, and is hoped to begin early next year.

“In terms of actual sod-turning, we would like to be starting on the project early next year. We have our planning application in with Hepburn Shire Council and we’re looking at tendering out for builders,” she said.

Ms Craven said jobs will be created in both the construction phase and also in terms of additional permanent ongoing staff positions at the Creswick centre.

“We have over 100 staff here now so we are probably looking at having 150 to 200 staff or more,” she said.

“This grant will enable John Curtin Aged Care to provide improved care to all our residents.

“It is also a huge investment in the Creswick community. It will enable us to meet the demand for more residential aged care beds in the area, taking pressure off Ballarat hospitals.”

Those attending last week’s big announcement included Hepburn Shire Council mayor Cr Don Henderson and John Curtin Residential Aged Care founding member Neville Cartledge OAM along with current staff, board members and residents themselves.