Residents move in as mecwacare unveils next stage of Ballan redevelopment

RESIDENTS of the upgraded mecwacare aged care facility in Ballan moved into their new lodgings this week.

Twenty-five residents relocated from their former hostel accommodation to a new building on Monday and Tuesday, marking a completion of the second stage of a three-stage, multimillion-dollar redevelopment.

Demolition of the old Cowie Street hostel building will begin on Monday in preparation for the final stage of the project, with an ultimate end date for completion sometime in the last quarter of this year.

When it is finished, the facility will have increased in bed numbers from 38 to 42, with a new communal area offering views of the Werribee River.

The redevelopment is designed with an aim to prioritise comfort, accessibility and social engagement.

It also features a brand-new, fully equipped kitchen that replaces a mobile kitchen in use for more than two years.

“This brand-new, purpose-built aged care facility will provide a warm and welcoming home for 60 residents,” mecwacare strategy and transformation executive general manager James Cramond said.

“Being located at the heart of our health and community services precinct in Ballan means residents will have access to a GP clinic, allied health services and a retirement village – all part of a broader network designed to provide choice, continuity of care and support older Australians to age well in their local community.”

Mecwacare bought Ballan District Health and Care in 2021 and announced plans to spend between $25 million and $30 million redeveloping the aged care facility the following year.

Residents will have access to a GP clinic, allied health services and a retirement village.

At the time, mecwacare chief executive Michele Lewis said the facility would become a “destination in demand” once completed.

It will complement mecwacare’s significant residential services portfolio and home care services in the Ballarat, Geelong and Warrnambool regions.

The redevelopment is designed to prioritise comfort, accessibility and social engagement.

mecwacare is a not-for-profit, non-denominational charitable organisation that provides residential, community and in-home nursing, care and support services.