The progress of the aged care facility due to be built in Gloucester has been delayed due to the council merger.
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Anglican Care had reached an agreement with the former Gloucester Shire Council earlier in the year to purchase council owned land in Clement Street as a location for a new residential aged care home and a retirement village.
Transfer of ownership was not completed prior to the merger of Gloucester Shire Council, Greater Taree City Council and Great Lakes Council on May 16. Anglican Care chief executive officer (CEO) Colin Osborne said despite the desire for a swift settlement, the process has been delayed somewhat due to the recent amalgamation.
“Arrangements are currently being made for Anglican Care representatives to brief the new council general manager and administrator regarding the project with a view to accelerating the purchase and development application submission for the site,” Mr Osborne said.
In regard to the transfer of 60 aged care licences from Gloucester Hospital, current in Hillcrest Nursing Home, Narraweema and Kimbarra Lodge Hostel, the Department of Health has approved the transfer of the bed licences upon commissioning of the new facility.
Once the land acquisition is complete, Anglican Care will undertake the more detailed planning phase of the development.
“In the meantime preliminary planning has commenced with our architects recently visiting the site to review the concept plan. At this stage we are still hopeful that the estimated construction commencement for the residential aged care home will be mid 2017 – with completion expected in mid to late 2018,” Mr Osborne said.
Attempts by Gloucester Advocate to contact Glenn Handford, MidCoast Council general manager, for an update were unsuccessful.