By MELISSA MEEHAN
TWO properties in Healesville and Yarra Glen will benefit from state funding in the lead-up to the bushfire season.
Last week, Minister for Energy and Resources, Russell Northe visited the Yarra Valley to announce funding to protect vulnerable elderly residents from power outages and remove bare wire powerlines from winery Yarrawood Estate.
Mr Northe was joined by Member for Seymour and Eildon candidate Cindy McLeish and Nationals Eildon candidate Jim Child for the announcement.
“I’m pleased that Aurrum Healesville is the third facility in the Yarra Ranges to have a back-up generator installed which provides access to critical power and is ready to go ahead,” he said.
Aurrum Healesville general manager Kathleen Collings said the generator was an important part of caring for her residents.
“We are very excited today,” she said.
“We have 122 residents to care for and to have a generator to help us care for these people who are elderly, and some unwell is a real help for us,” she said.
Residential care facilities in the Yarra Ranges to receive back-up power generators by Christmas include: Arrum, AdventCare, BlueCross Baradine, Gracevale Grange, Holmwood Aged Care, Margarite Manor, Mercy Place Hostel, Mercy Place Nursing Home, Monda Lodge, Overbeek Lodge and Walmsley Friendship Aged Care.
