Around 20 people gathered for the community update about the new nursing home and retirement village proposed for Gloucester.
Anglican Care organised the meeting at the Gloucester Soldiers Club on Thursday, July 5, in line with the submission of the development application to MidCoast Council which is now on public display.
The casual gathering was an opportunity for members of the community, including the new neighbours of the facility, to ask chief executive officer, Colin Osborne questions about the project.
Among the crowd attending was federal member for Lyne, David Gillespie, MidCoast Council deputy mayor Katheryn Smith, former Gloucester Shire mayor John Rosenbaum and Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital health service manager, Paul Townsend.
Mr Osborne explained how the development would be built in stages, with retirement village units maybe being built 10 units at a time depending on pre-sales. However, it was highlighted that Anglican Care doesn’t have the captial funds needed to build the nursing home at this stage.
Ms Smith asked Mr Osborne if the project would not proceed if the grant funding applied for didn’t come through and Mr Osborne reiterated that Anglican Care is committed to building a new nursing home in Gloucester.
There was discussion about the entry fee and exit fee for the retirement units, which was stated to be 30 per cent over six years at five per cent each year. Questions were asked about traffic management during construction which Mr Osborne said was a decision for council.
In regard to employment, as there will be less beds than the current facility, Mr Osborne said there would be a slight decrease in employment but the hope was that the organisation would get home care up and running within 12 months of the opening of the nursing home, thus creating more jobs.
Dr Gillespie said a few words to the crowd before the meeting concluded, outlining his support for the project and the need for a modern nursing home in Gloucester. He said the grant outcome for the additional federal funding Anglican Care is seeking should be announced soon.
The development application for the entire project is on public display at the MidCoast Council Gloucester office or on the council’s website.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
