Nearly 100 construction jobs and 15 skilled permanent local jobs are to be created in Kyogle thanks to more than $4.7 million in Federal Government grants, Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said.
“The Whiddon Group came to me concerned that their Aged Care Facility would not be able to accommodate the elderly in their community as demand grew for their services,” he said.
“It was not going to be economically viable for Whiddon to build the extension to their facility by themselves so the Federal Government has co-funded $4.7 million to pay for the capital works.
“On top of this the Government will provide $1.5 million per annum in ongoing costs for residential places.”
“There will be 23 additional beds in the new wing incorporating various configurations of resident rooms to meet the needs of the local region for high quality aged care places.
“The building stage of the wing will provide 94 construction jobs.
“The permanent workforce post construction will increase to more than 40.
“These additional beds mean older community members will not be forced to move away from family and friends to find a room in Aged Care.
“This project will continue to provide an additional $1 million per annum in ongoing contribution to the region after construction.”
The project is co-funded under the Government’s Regional Jobs and Investment Programme.
“This aged care expansion project is fantastic news for the Kyogle community,” Chief Executive Officer of the Whiddon Group Chris Mamarelis said.
“Whiddon are delighted to receive close to $5 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Jobs Investment Package, and together with our investment of $5million, we can deliver a 23 place extension to our Kyogle home to help meet the needs of the local region for high quality aged care places.
“I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the community members who supported our funding application, and Member for Page, Mr Kevin Hogan, who has supported Whiddon to achieve a number of important aged care growth projects in the region.”
The project includes:
- Construction of a new wing at Whiddon Kyogle with 23 new aged care places that were allocated in the 2016 Aged Care Approvals Round
- A range of accommodation options, including single and double rooms with ensuites, dementia specific and high care
- Secure courtyards to promote outdoor living and ready access to gardens
- A new servery to service two dining rooms
- New laundry to service a larger aged care home with additional residents
Some of the major projects Kevin Hogan has delivered for our community include:
- $15 million for expansion of Norco’s Ice-cream factory
- $17 million in grants for nine job-creating projects
- More than 300 new Aged Care beds
- New Headspace in Grafton
- Redevelopment of Oakes Oval.
- New Northern Rivers Regional Art Gallery
- Expanded North Coast Regional Hockey Complex
- Maclean Riverside Precinct
- Casino Amphitheatre
- Southern Cross Lads Safe Driving Course
- Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club
- Wollongbar Club House
- Kyogle Aquatic Centre
- Upgrade of Casino Saleyard
- Sealed road to Toonumbar Dam
- Repair of Woodburn to Coraki Road
- Coffs Harbour bypass
- Revitalisation of Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall
- Major upgrade of Culmaran Creek Road
- Upgrade of Harwood Mill and Refinery
- Replacing 20 wooden bridges in Kyogle
- Upgraded Albert Park Baseball Complex
- Upgrade of Casino Hospital Emergency Department
- Six new Trade Training Centres
- Record bulk billing rates
- Record funding for our local schools
