AGED CARE: 27 FEBRUARY 2017

Cabonne Mayor turns first sod for new Molong aged-care units

Cabonne Mayor Ian Gosper today turned the first sod for the construction of three new community aged-care units in Molong.

A project of the town’s Acacia Lodge Committee, the new complex aims to provide accommodation for those people with the most need and who may not be able to afford to enter traditional aged-care facilities.

Being built at a cost of $700,000, the Edward Street units are the result of more than three years of negotiations and planning, fund-raising by the committee and Molong Combined Pensioners and Superannuants, and support from Cabonne Council.

The project came to fruition after many meetings and a huge fund-raising effort by Acacia Lodge and the pensioners and superannuants group.

With the fund-raising and the sale of another property Acacia Lodge, owned in Molong, the committee and pensioners and superannuants group put more than $300,000 to the project. This was supplemented by a $400,000 loan from Cabonne Council to make the units a reality.

Cr Gosper said that while today signalled the start of an exciting new project, it also marked the end of a long road to get to this point.

“I think the final result will be well worthwhile and will be a great asset for Molong and Cabonne Shire,” he said.

The site was purchased three years ago, following drawn-out negotiations, from Housing NSW after that agency regarded it as surplus to requirements.

The Acacia Lodge Committee, which provides other community accommodation in Molong, identified the site as ideal because of its proximity to medical services, other aged accommodation and the proposed new Molong library.

Cr Gosper said the Acacia Lodge Committee had already received applications from prospective tenants.

“But the important aspect is that tenants will be selected on the basis of need, rather than how long they have been on a waiting list,” he said.

The new units are being built to a high standard and will meet all the NSW Government requirements for housing for seniors and people with a disability.

Hines Constructions won the public tender for the work and expects to finish the project by August.

Based on media release issued by Cabonne Council.