Cash confirmation for Waroona aged-care extensions

Major extensions at Quambie Park Aged Care in Waroona can now get under way with the confirmation of funding from the State Government announced last week.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced $1.8 million for the Waroona Housing Options Village during her visit to the facility on Friday, August 18.

This adds to the nearly $1.7 million announced earlier this month in the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund from the Federal Government.

The expansion will include the construction of nine independent living units for those with a disability, but do not yet require residential care, and a community hub building for residents.

Quambie Park has 45 residents in its residential facility, 38 independent living units and provides home care for 33 people in Waroona and the outlying areas.

Ms MacTiernan said the Federal contribution to the project did help the State Government decide to contribute to the project.

“Given that there will be a significant Commonwealth contribution, and it’s a good project in itself, that makes this something that has got it into the ‘yes we will do this one’ basket.”

Ms MacTiernan said there was going to be a bigger focus on economic development projects to be approved for funding.

“Our view is you’ve really got to find the job drivers, the real drivers of growth,” she said.

The expansion is expected to create 26 full-time jobs in construction and technical services.

Quambie Park board chairman Mike Walmsley said the announcement was great news due to uncertainty surrounding the State funding after the Federal funding was approved.

“The whole project was teetering, so we needed to know if it was going to happen,” he said.

“Now this is fully-funded, we’re ready to roll on this,” he said.