Mossman Aged Care works begin

Work on the necessary infrastructure to build Mossman’s first aged care facility starts this week, thanks to $544,150 in funding from the Palaszczuk Government’s $375 million Building our Regions program.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the 42-bed Salvation Army Aged Care Plus Centre at Johnson Road, Mossman, was a priority for the region because the nearest aged care facility was in Port Douglas, an hour’s drive away.

“This funding will be used to develop a sub-station, headworks, sewerage and drainage and the council’s adjacent road network.” Dr Lynham said.

“The Building Our Regions funding is a real win for the local community, and particularly for those who have worked hard to secure an aged care facility in the Mossman district.

“This will allow the much needed facility to be built, and importantly will generate local jobs.”

The Mossman project is one of 42 Building our Regions projects funded in communities across the state. One project is complete, construction is underway on another 15 and a further 25 projects are at the design and tender stage. All projects are expected to start construction by the end of September this year.

Dr Lynham said the Building our Regions program aimed to build critical infrastructure, support jobs and increase liveability by encouraging regional collaboration and additional financial investment in local communities.

The Salvation Army is contributing $544,150 and Douglas Shire Council $62,000 to the cost of the enabling infrastructure.

“Aged care facilities are critical to the functioning of a rural community, allowing aged residents to stay in a familiar environment and close to their families, and ultimately improving their health outcomes,” Dr Lynham said.

“Having access to a local facility will ease the stress on family members who’ve previously had to drive between Mossman and Port Douglas, and sometimes be cut off from their loved ones by floodwaters or lack of available public transport options.”

ENDS

Date                            29 August 2016

Media contact:           Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389