State and federal govt spends $40M on 20-beds in regional NSW
After the only aged care home in the NSW Snowy Monaro town closed in 2022, State and Federal funding is now helping expand the Government-owned facility.
NSW Government has released designs for a 20-bed extension of Bombala Multi-Purpose Service (MPS), after seeking feedback from the community late last year.
The project will provide residential aged care in the town, located 485km south of Sydney.
Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT closed Bombala's Currawarna aged care home in February 2022, citing staff shortages. As a consequence, 24 residents were forced to relocate, many moving hundreds of kilometres. Following a concerted community campaign, in February 2024 the home reopened as 29-bed Not For Profit Currawarna Assisted Living, a licensed boarding house.
Bombala MPS currently has 10 residential aged care beds, all of which are occupied. The planned extension will add an extra 20 beds, as well as upgrading support areas, providing additional parking, and adding staff accommodation.
Construction is expected to commence later this year, subject to planning approval.
Joint State and Federal Government project
The project is jointly funded by the NSW and Federal Governments.
The NSW Government granted $25 million to the Bombala MPS from proceeds from the sale of the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, established to build major infrastructure projects. The Federal Government is tipping in $25 million through an Aged Care Capital Assistance Program grant, bringing total funding to $40 million.
The project team includes Health Infrastructure, Southern NSW Local Health District, APP Group (project manager) and Nordon Jago Architects.
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, said, "The Albanese Government has now invested almost $1 billion in the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program ensuring programs like these can serve communities across the country.
"The Bombala MPS project is an excellent example of how collaboration between Federal and State Governments can help secure the future of aged care in Australia."
MPSs: aged care operators 'of last resort'
MPSs are Government owned and operated aged care facilities integrated with local health services that operate in communities deemed too small to support an aged care facility. They are increasingly being recognised as the 'provider of last resort' in regional, rural and remote towns.
The Weekly SOURCE reported last month that Merriwa MPS was accepting residents from Gummun Place, which was set to close at the end of the month.
The Federal Government recently announced an additional 100 places will be made available through the MPS program this financial year.
