Bethany Christian Care will sell its river-front Beth Eden aged care facility property next year, forcing about 50 residents to find a new home.
According to a report in the Brisbane Times, the property is being sold because it is too old to renovate and too expensive to redevelop.
The 61-bed aged care facility in Graceville, Brisbane, includes the two-storey Verney House, which was built in 1888. Beth Eden was listed on Queensland’s Heritage Register in 1992 for its weatherboard home and stables overlooking the Chelmer Reach of the River.
The land is zoned for community use. Before being seniors’ accommodation, the property was used by the Australian Red Cross and defence forces as a military convalescence home.
Rohan Reid, Bethany Christian Care’s Chief Executive, said all residents will be offered alternative accommodation at the provider’s more modern aged care homes at Manly West and Eight Mile Plains.
“Beth Eden is a very, very old facility,” he said.
Rooms are tiny, corridors are “like rabbit warrens” and some rooms contained asbestos, Rohan told the Brisbane Times.
“Redeveloping would take a lot of expertise and capital and that is not our sweet spot.
“We are quite a small provider of aged care retirement services,” he said.
The land will not go on the market until all residents have found new homes. Residents will receive their full exit entitlements if they choose to move to a home not owned by Bethany Christian Care. Bethany will give residents $5,000 for legal advice and $3,000 for new furniture and to cover moving expenses.
