The committee is made up of representatives from the departments of Health, Planning, Lands and Heritage, Local Government and Communities.
The group will identify under-utilised state-owned land and infrastructure that could be used by aged care providers for new aged care facilities.
Initiated by local Labor member for Kalamunda, Matthew Hughes, the news has been welcomed by the City of Swan Community Care Services advisory committee which covers Perth’s eastern metro area and has been campaigning for more facilities since 2015.
President Ron Carey said “we have been saying that the equity in certain parcels of land owned by the State Government and the City should be used for much-needed community support services … and not simply sold off to generate additional revenue.”
WA historically has always had fewer aged care beds than the rest of the states and territories. As we reported here back in 2016, WA had around 3,500 unused bed licences.
Will it work? Both South Australia and Brisbane Council have had mixed success providing fast-track processes for aged care developments with a number of developments stalled by consumer advocacy.
