A 110-bed aged care facility in Toowoomba will get more than a fresh coat of paint thanks to $18.4 million major upgrade set to begin next month.
Blue Care Toowoomba’s 110-bed facility will undergo a complete refurbishment from January 2022, thanks to $8.9 million in federal government funding, as well as a $9.5 million investment from UnitingCare.
The upgrade project is expected to generate more than 100 jobs directly through construction work, which is expected to run until August 2024.
UnitingCare CEO Craig Barke said the Australian Government funding was vital to ensuring the significant refurbishment works would go ahead, and enable the provision of individually tailored accommodation for current and future residents.
“This project will improve all aspects of the facility, including resident rooms, recreation areas and surrounding gardens as well as back-of-house amenities such as kitchens and laundries,” he said.
“Importantly, it ensures local Toowoomba residents and their families have access to high-quality care, in keeping with UnitingCare’s mission to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals across Queensland.”
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said the region was expected to experience significant growth in the population of seniors in coming years, with the refurbishment not only boosting aged care services in the region but also generating jobs and economic benefits for the community.
“The facility upgrade will extend Blue Care Toowoomba’s capacity to provide care and deliver an improved living environment for residents.
“This investment will ensure the facility will be available, for longer (15 years longer) and improve services by fully refurbishing the buildings to cater for the anticipated growth in the aging population.
“Our older people deserve quality of aged care and a better environment to be looked after in,” Mr Hamilton said.
Mr Barke said Blue Care was committed to providing safe, comfortable and contemporary living environments for aged care residents across Queensland.
“The refurbishment and upgrade of our Toowoomba aged care home will enable us to provide individually tailored accommodation for current and future residents in the local area, in keeping with Blue Care’s Tailor Made approach to delivering high quality care,” he said.
Following the project’s completion, Blue Care anticipates the aged care facility will employ 149 people, contributing $33.1 million into the Toowoomba economy through direct expenditure and a further $72 million through indirect expenditure.
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