Aged care facility awaits licences

By Kath Gannaway
A NEW 108-bed aged care facility in Healesville hangs on a decision by the Federal Aged Care Minister to grant the necessary bed licences.
Kiwidale, part of the Melbourne-based Universal Care Management Group, has applied for the licences.
Managing director David Powis said he expected a decision towards the end of the year.
Mr Powis said the company was very keen to see the development proceed in Healesville.
“We have concept plans for the size and mix of services, we have done the financial planning and are currently looking at potential sites.
“All it really needs is for the Minister (Federal Minister for Ageing Santo Santoro) to grant the licences,” he said.
If approval is granted to Kiwidale, Mr Powis said Healesville could expect to see a contemporary aged-care facility which would provide a whole range of services including high and low permanent care, day care, respite care and a dedicated dementia unit.
News of the planned development is timely, coming just a week after the closure of the 50-bed Healesville and District Private Nursing Home.
McEwen MP Fran Bailey and the Shire of Yarra Ranges have both supported Kiwidale’s licence application.
Yarra Ranges’ Ryrie Ward representative Cr Jeanette McRae said the shire had written in support.
“The concept overall is good and we have given a letter of support for the application because it allows people to stay in their own townships and near to where family and friends are, which is in line with the shire’s Vision 20/20,” Cr McRae said.
Cr McRae said the project would need to go through the normal planning processes but the opportunities for employment and other economic benefits to Healesville were seen as very positive for the town.
Mr Powis said the planned facility could provide between 80 and 90 full and part-time positions equating to some seven to eight million dollars in salaries.
A range of other economic benefits could be expected to flow to the town during the construction stage and through the day to day operation of the facility.
Mr Powis said Kiwidale was pleased with the support given by the Shire and Ms Bailey and welcomed feedback from other organisations and community members on the project.
He said the company was optimistic about the licence application.
“We have been involved in the industry for 30 years and feel we have a good reputation with the department and others.
“From all those viewpoints we would like to think we have some reason for optimism. We are somewhat hampered, however, until we get a decision from the minister.”