What the? Council to lodge aged care expansion plans
Uralla Council moves to expand McMaugh Gardens aged care home
- Capacity increase: Expansion plans to grow McMaugh Gardens from 36 to 50 aged care beds
- Shovel ready: Development application aims to secure government aged care grant funding
- Staged delivery: Two-stage project includes dementia wing and staff accommodation
- Funding support: ACCAP grants and local contributions to help address regional aged care demand
The Council-operator will lodge plans to expand the capacity of McMaugh Gardens aged care home, aiming to attract future Commonwealth funding.
Under the proposed plans, the operator will increase capacity of the home in the town in the Northern Tablelands, 465km north of Sydney, from 36 beds to 50.
Uralla Shire Mayor Robert Bell said lodging the DA will strengthen Council’s ability to compete for Federal Government aged care grants when funding becomes available.
“Being ‘shovel ready’ significantly strengthens our case with funding bodies,” he stated.
The Independent Review of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Pricing, released last month, recommended an interest-free loan scheme to help operators build residential aged care with priority given to operators with development approval, a qualified builder, and construction finance.
The Uralla development would be constructed in two stages to allow Council to match funding to construction, minimise disruption to residents and staff, and ensure each stage is “financially sound” before proceeding, said Mayor Bell.
Eight new beds for $1.28 million
Stage 1 would involve construction of a new eight-bed dementia care wing, with supporting internal works and a new laundry for an estimated cost for Stage 1 of $1.28 million.
Friends of McMaugh Gardens, a volunteer group that fundraises for the aged care home, will contribute up to $700,000 toward Stage 1, including a significant bequest from former resident Keith Fuller.
Uralla Shire Council is also proposing to fund part of Stage 1 through the reallocation of existing capital expenditure allocations, subject to Council approval.
“We now have a realistic pathway to commence this important work when the time is right,” said Mayor Bell.
Stage 2 would add another 10 beds plus four self-contained units for nurses’ accommodation, subject to future funding and Council approval. The preliminary cost estimate for Stage 2 is $2.92 million.
The Commonwealth has invested more than $1 billion in the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) since 2022, with further funding rounds expected later this year.
In March, the Government announced $115 million in grants for shovel-ready projects in four of the areas considered most in need of residential aged care beds: Adelaide, Perth, and in NSW, the Illawarra and Hunter regions.
The Government is expected to announce more details of its response to the Independent Review of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Pricing in the Budget on Tuesday, 12 May.
