Aged care federal funding boost for Byron

THE Federal Government has announced over $3.5 million in funding for St Andrew’s Village (George’s Cottages) in Byron Bay.

The $3,595,733 announced by Federal Labor MP Justine Elliot will fund the re-design of 40 ensuites, repair drainage issues, complete external repairs, and deliver targeted care to homeless residents.

“The federal funding to support St Andrew’s Village Byron Bay is great news for the North Coast,” Elliot said.

“This is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to support Australian seniors to access quality aged care services.

“We’re continuing to invest funding at unprecedented levels to support aged care providers outside of major cities, along with those that deliver specialist services,” she said.

The project is funded through Round 2 of the government’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP). It will directly support not-for-profit providers and small community-based operators in modernising their aged care homes and creating employment opportunities.

“Funding will help St Andrew’s Village to create a more home-like environment, with comfortable and modern amenities and more liveable spaces,” Elliot said.

“After the devastating news that Feros Care would close Byron Bay’s Feros Village, federal and state Labor governments worked together with the community in 2023 to find a new provider in St. Andrew’s to keep the site open for residents.

“A year later, I’m proud to be delivering more than $3.5 million in federal funding to continue delivering the very best care and support for our local seniors,” she said.

The Federal Government recently committed an additional $300 million to ACCAP over three years as part of aged care reforms announced in September.

For more information about the ACCAP grants and funded projects, visit health.gov.au/accap