Aged care changes approved

By Lachlan Ellis

Plans for an aged care facility have been controversially passed by Council, with an objector citing concerns over conditions for residents, and the removal of a garden believed to contain ashes.

The application for development of a residential aged care facility at 166 and 168 Inglis Street, 33 Cowie Street, and 91 Simpson Street came before Council’s Development Assessment Committee (DAC) meeting on Wednesday 14 December.

Two speakers addressed Council on the application: Emma Dukic objecting to the application, and Angela Ash on behalf of the applicant, mecwacare.
Ms Dukic argued the plans would result in an unsuitable facility for residents, and would remove the community garden which she claimed contained the ashes of people who had passed away.

“I live opposite the site, so it’s quite close to home to me what’s happening there. It’s mainly a change of use from aged care to mainly end of life…there’s only small light wells which, in a COVID-safe world, I thought we weren’t meant to keep people outside in fresh air. As dementia care, it doesn’t seem to meet guidelines,” she told Council.

“They’re demolishing the memorial garden that has people’s ashes in it, I don’t think anyone’s actually addressed that issue. Our community’s community-funded garden is going to be removed, that belongs to the people of Ballan. I think it’s really unfair.”

Ms Ash, speaking on behalf of mecwacare, acknowledged that the site was an important place to the Ballan community, but said the proposed changes would improve the current facility.

“I understand the nature of this application, and change, is always highly emotive…I suppose this application has come about due to an identified need by mecwacare for these facilities. I talk to the history of the former hospital…but this is about looking to the future, and the redevelopment for this site, to provide for a service that is in need for this community,” Ms Ash said.

“The architects that have prepared this plan have worked closely with landscape architects to design the indoor courtyard spaces to be an area of high amenity. The conditions the officers are recommending through the agenda seeks to further enhance those spaces in terms of seating, additional landscaping, planters and the like.”

On the question of ashes potentially being located on the site, Council’s Manager Statutory Planning & Regulatory Services, Robert Fillisch, said Council had “no idea” on whether or not there were ashes there, and their possible presence was “not a planning issue”.

The application was approved unanimously by Council, however Crs Paul Tatchell and Moira Berry were apologies and not present at the meeting.