Eight beds for $22M: Helping Hand begins regional aged care rebuild
South Australian Not For Profit Helping Hand has begun a Government-funded redevelopment of the only aged care facility in the Eyre Peninsula town of Whyalla, about 400km northwest of Adelaide.
Helping Hand will redevelop Yeltana and Copperhouse Court Residential Care Homes, adding eight new residential aged care beds in total.
For Helping Hand Yeltana, the project includes:
- A new wing with two new residential aged care rooms,
- An upgrade of all shared rooms to individual rooms with ensuites (no shared bathrooms),
- A new dining area and multi-purpose activity space,
- An upgrade of electrical systems, and
- New courtyard with BBQ and water feature.
For Helping Hand Copperhouse Court:
- Six additional residential aged care rooms,
- A flexible multi-purpose space for activities,
- An upgrade to rooms and amenities, including painting and flooring, and
- Landscaped and sheltered external areas.
Helping Hand CEO Chris Stewart acknowledged the support of the Australian Government in enabling the expansion. A $17.2 million Federal Government grant for the upgrade was awarded in 2024, extended to $22 million to allow for cost increases. Development application approval was received in mid-2025.
Chris said: “After much consideration and careful planning, we are delighted to see this redevelopment get underway.
"Thanks to the support of the Australian government, we are expanding our services and ensuring that more Whyalla residents can age in place, close to their family and community.”
Kennett Builders has been appointed to deliver the project. General Manager Anthony Carbone said they are maximising local trade involvement on the redevelopment, with 25% of engaged trades registered in Whyalla. A local site manager, Ben Butler, has also been appointed.
Kennett Builders has worked previously with Helping Hand on regional developments in Jamestown, 200km north of Adelaide, and Port Pirie, 225km north of Adelaide.
Copperhouse Court is expected to be completed by August 2026, with works at Yeltana continuing over another two years. The staged approach means no residents will be asked to move out during the construction phase.
Kindred Living operated the two Whyalla aged care homes from 1968. Helping Hands acquired the homes in 2022.
Helping Hand was founded in 1953 as part of the UnitingCare Australia network. Today, the provider operates 11 aged care homes, six retirement villages, supports more than 1,000 home care customers, and has 2,200 staff.
