Increased capacity, more comfortable facilities to support seniors in Killarney

March 4, 2021

A $6 million investment by the Federal Government will support Killarney seniors to stay in their community to receive care, through increased capacity and safer, more comfortable facilities at Killarney Memorial Aged Care.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud officially opened the Leslie Place Aged Care Persons Hostel facility today, which received a $5.52 million capital grant and eight additional residential aged care places under the Australian Government’s 2016-17 Aged Care Approvals (ACAR) round.

“This investment by the Federal Government enabled the redevelopment of eight existing residential care places and the construction of an additional eight accommodation units at the Leslie Place hostel.

“The additional eight aged care places will significantly boost Killarney Memorial Aged Care’s capacity to deliver quality care to local seniors and those from surrounding areas.

“It’s heartbreaking for rural communities when our seniors are forced to move away from family, friends and everything they have ever known to a larger town or city to receive care,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Aged care facilities in regional communities, like Killarney, are vital for our seniors to ensure they are able to stay as close as possible to their friends and families.

“This investment is about providing the local care our elder Australians deserve and continuing their connections with, and contributions to, our communities.

Killarney Memorial Aged Care received an additional $438,000 in funding from the Australian Government under the Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants (ACRRRIG) initiative which supported the refurbishment of six high-care resident bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas, the creation of a single entry point into the facility and a range of other internal and external refurbishments and maintenances.

The Killarney Memorial Aged Care facility upgrade is one of four projects in Maranoa funded under the ACRRRIG initiative, with other projects in Longreach, Allora and Nanango.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the Government was committed to every senior Australian in aged care having a dignified retirement and a comfortable place to live.

“Senior Australians deserve the best quality aged care services. Investing in new and improved infrastructure ensures the aged care system meets the needs of older Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“It means more choice and accessibility and improved quality, safety and convenience.”

ACRRRIG was a one-off $40 million infrastructure investment in the 2018–19 Federal Budget, focusing on regional, rural and remote regions where services are constrained by their location, lack of access to infrastructure funding, and significantly higher costs.

A total of 117 grants of up to $500,000 were provided under ACRRRIG to upgrade old or unsuitable infrastructure or to improve or upgrade existing buildings to ensure quality, safety and accessibility of services and associated staff housing.