Under our Affordable Housing Strategy, the Hodgman Liberal Government has initiated a new high quality aged care facility in Bellerive for the over 50s in need of care, in what will be only the second state in Australia to have an aged care facility of its type.
Providing safe, affordable accommodation for up to 50 low income frail and elderly Tasmanians in need, the Tasmanian Government has partnered with specialist not-for-profit aged care provider Wintringham to successfully apply for funding from the Federal Government under the Aged Care Approvals Round, for the new facility to be built on the Wirksworth site in Bellerive.
Usually only accommodating people over 65 years of age, this facility will include residential care beds with independent living units for the over 50s, with the Federal Government funding 40 residential aged care places each year.
The $12 million construction at Bellerive will create 90 full time construction jobs and provide total economic activity of $30 million, with the site to be leased to Wintringham on a long-term lease.
It is anticipated the facility will create 31.5 full time jobs over the long term for aged care staff, with annual revenue expected to inject $4.2 million into the local economy.
Housing Tasmania and Wintringham will consult widely with local residents and other stakeholders including the Clarence High School prior to the lodgement of the planning application.
Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to start in the 2018-19 financial year.
With the Budget back in balance, the Government is investing in essential services and job creation, committing $31.2 million towards providing affordable housing in 2017/18 as part of our $73.5 million Affordable Housing Action Plan.