Federal Assistant Health Minister and Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has announced $8.5 million in Federal capital funding and a further 40 new residential aged care places worth around $2.62 million a year to support the expansion of Bundaleer.

Dr Gillespie said local aged care provider Bundaleer would expand its current operations in Wauchope to meet current and future demand of a rapidly growing population.

The new development will be constructed next to Wauchope Hospital.

“Bundaleer has been at the forefront in the planning and development of aged care services in our community for many years and I’m delighted they have been successful in their bid to secure Federal funds to pursue this major expansion of residential aged care services, dementia care and mental health support in our local area,” Dr Gillespie said.

“The Federal Coalition Government is investing record funding in aged care services, particularly in our electorate of Lyne, and I am pleased this latest announcement will deliver more aged care options for seniors in our community.

“It will also deliver a major economic dividend for the local area through the creation of many jobs throughout the construction period, and also permanent jobs across a range of professions well into the future.”

Bundaleer chief executive officer Gareth Norman said the additional 40 beds would bring together the greatly needed requirements for dementia support in the local area

“The Johnstone Street facility of 55 beds has been the backbone of Bundaleer more decades and this exceptional designed facility will offer more than just a new home to the 140 residents who will call Bundaleer home, but the thousands we will care for into the future,” Mr Norman said.

“Our community will see a great benefit from the new build, not only will we be creating more than 30 to 40 long term jobs in the delivery of care, we will be creating jobs in construction and enhanced benefits for the town of Wauchope.”

Over 60 people are expected to be employed throughout the construction phase of the project.

“The design is almost complete and the development approval process has started,” Mr Norman said. 

“We are looking at starting the development in the next 12-18 months and the timeframe for construction is an estimated 18 months. 

“The cost of the build will be in the region of $25m to $30m.  It will be the largest build in Wauchope and will be something that our town will be as equally proud of as we will be.

“We will have almost 200 residents in our care and over 200 staff employed by Bundaleer, in a multitude of professions. 

“We wish to thank Dr David Gillespie for his extraordinary continued support to our aged care industry and our community, and we look forward to sharing our journey with him.”