A future Coalition Government will commit $8 million towards bringing a vital aged care facility to life in one of the Maranoa electorate’s most remote communities.
Under a future Coalition Government, residents of Winton and surrounding areas will be able to age in place thanks to a commitment of $8 million towards the Jessamine Place – Low Care Aged Accommodation Facility.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Coalition was committed to ensuring regional Australians had access to quality aged care in the communities they call home.
“Everyone deserves to spend their golden years in their hometown surrounded by their loved ones, regardless of where they live,” Mr Littleproud said.
“For too long, regional Australians have had to pack up and leave the community they have called home for much of their lives due to the inaccessibility of quality aged care.
“That’s why, I’m proud to announce that a future Coalition Government will commit $8 million to help this vital project come to fruition.”
President of Winton Community and Aged Care Service Leisa Fraser said the $11.5 million Jessamine Place – Low Aged Care Accommodation Facility would be a game-changer for the region because the next closest facility is in Longreach more than 175 kilometres away.
“There are people in our community that are, in some cases, driving hundreds of kilometres per day just to see their loved ones in aged care facilities in other areas because they can’t access what they need here in their own community, and that is no way to spend your best years,” Mrs Fraser said.
“We have lost entire generations of local families due to the lack of suitable aged care in the region, but this facility will go a long way to ensuring our community has the support it needs, and in conjunction with the CWHHS Multipurpose Facility, will offer an aged care continuum for our elderly now and into the future.
“Winton Shire Council has thrown its support behind this project, and our community has been fundraising for many years.
“Winton Community and Aged Care Services and our partners have been working very hard to make Ageing in the Outback a reality for not only the Winton Community and outlying areas but for other communities like ours in remote and very remote settings.
“This announcement is very humbling for us, and we thank the Coalition for this commitment.”
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