The Board of Shepparton Villages has made the difficult decision to close and decommission one of its four residential care homes, Hakea Lodge, effective Tuesday 4 April 2023.

The decision has been made due to the condition and age of the building, the inability to attract residents to the home, and continued staff shortages.

All 34 residents will have to find new homes, and have been offered places at Shepparton’s Maculata Place, Banksia Lodge or Mooroopna Place.

Built in 1984, the Hakea Lodge building no longer complies with the current standards and the board has made the decision it would be too costly and disruptive to bring the building up to the necessary standard.

Chief Executive Officer, Veronica Jamison, said, “In the interests of continuing to provide quality care in contemporary settings, Shepparton Villages is consolidating its residential aged care operations into its other three aged care homes, Banksia Lodge, Maculata Place and Mooroopna Place.”

Hakea Lodge staff will be given the opportunity to fill vacant shifts elsewhere in the organisation.

"This facility has been a thriving community and home for residents, staff, volunteers, and family/advocates alike for almost 39 years, and evidence of what could be achieved with faith, hope and charity of the community,” a statement from the company said.