$18.5 Million Redevelopment of Historic Site Officially Opened – More Aged Care Beds for Plympton

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2 July 2009

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, was today joined by the Member for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas, to officially open Stage One of ‘The Pines Lodge’ in Plympton.

The $18.5 million redevelopment will provide 128 aged care beds. Once completed, the $25 million redevelopment will be home to 144 older people in the Plympton area.

The redeveloped facility offers single rooms with ensuites, adjoining rooms for couples, a café with outdoor dining area, hairdressing salon, a dedicated chapel and recreational areas for resident activities.

It also includes a memory support area for dementia residents, with an enclosed garden and courtyard area.

‘The Pines Lodge’ is also an important local business employing 128 staff.

“Australia has one of the world’s longest life expectancies and the Rudd Government is tackling the challenges of our ageing population,” Minister Elliot said:

“It is reassuring to see organisations such as Southern Cross Care continue to invest in new aged care facilities, creating jobs in these challenging economic times.”

Mr Georganas said: “Our community, like many parts of Australia, is facing the challenges of an ageing population.”

“The Rudd Government is planning for the future by aiding in expanding existing services in both residential and community aged care.

“In addition to the jobs provided in the construction of the facility, this service will also provide valuable local jobs into the future,” Mr Georganas said.

Southern Cross Care operates 15 residential care services, two “Extended Aged Care at Home” (EACH) services and three community care services in South Australia.

Over the next four years the Rudd Government will provide $44 billion to the aged and community care sectors.

Measures in the 2009-2010 Budget increase the total funding for residential aged care, from the Commonwealth and residents, by an estimated $728 million over the next four years. This is in addition to regular increases from indexation.

Over the next four years, residential aged care providers will receive, on average, $65,900 per year for each older Australian in their care, with nearly $45,000 of this provided by the Commonwealth.

Minister Elliot said: “No Australian Government has provided more financial support to aged and community care than the Rudd Government.”

Background on ‘The Pines Lodge’

The original 80 acre site, on which ’The Pines Lodge’ is situated, was established in 1839.

It underwent a series of subdivisions before being purchased by local retailer John Martin in 1880 who constructed a house on the property in 1882 and named it ’The Pines’.

The property passed to Martin’s daughter in 1906 who sold it to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1941.

The Sisters converted ’The Pines’ into a home for underprivileged girls and women and built a laundry and small farm, teaching them practical skills such as dressmaking and cooking and encouraging their charges to learn musical instruments and participate in plays.

Southern Cross Care has continued the tradition of ‘The Pines’ being a centre for community care and support since purchasing the property and developing aged care services there in the 1970s.

Media contacts: Mrs Elliot's office (02) 6277 7280
Steve Georganas 0437 387 378 or Heather Witham 0437 911 276