The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more support for aged care providers in rural and regional Australia to deliver better care to older Australians, closer to home.
Through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP), the Government is investing a further $40 million to ensure older people in rural South Australia and New South Wales can get the care they need near family and community.
This latest injection of funding will support residential care providers Walara and Whiddon to expand and modernise their Ardrossan Seaview and Narraburra Lodge homes.
The Labor Government is investing $20.6 million for the Ardrossan Seaview aged care home, which will boost the overall number of aged care beds from 33 to 40.
The project will:
- replace outdated shared rooms and bathrooms with contemporary private rooms with ensuites for greater comfort and dignity
- add engaging communal spaces
- replace the old, connected hospital building with a new administration centre
- incorporate dementia-friendly accommodation design.
In addition, the Government will partner with not-for-profit provider Whiddon, providing $19.5 million towards a $25.6 million project to expand and modernise its Narraburra Lodge aged care home in Temora.
The project will add an additional 16 new beds in Temora after the project is completed, growing capacity from 76 to 92, and will replace ageing infrastructure that is no longer fit for purpose - including:
- a two-story extension, with 54 new purpose-built bedrooms with ensuites, external works and outdoor spaces
- dementia-friendly accommodation design
- refreshed and upgraded facilities to enhance resident safety and comfort
- refurbishments to improve business operations.
This will ensure more older Australians in the Riverina will be able to access the services they need in a modern, purpose-built aged care home.
After a decade of neglect under the Liberals, these additions bring the Albanese Labor Government’s work to rebuild and reform the aged care sector to almost $1 billion in ACCAP capital grants alone.
As we continue down the path of aged care reform, Labor will continue to roll out further support to communities across the country and ensure that older Australians, no matter where they live, can access the high-quality and dignified care they deserve.
For more information about the ACCAP grants, future rounds and funded projects, visit: www.health.gov.au/accap.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae
“The Labor Government is investing in aged care at record levels to rebuild our aged care system after years of neglect under past Liberal Governments. We're making sure every older Australian can get the world-class care they deserve, wherever they live.
“Our investments support aged care providers in rural and regional areas like Ardrossan and Temora to continue delivering safe, high-quality and dignified care to locals for many years to come.
“We’re helping more older people to stay connected to their families and communities as they age, making sure there’s a dedicated place for older people in these regions to access quality care when it’s most needed.”