Senior Australians living in communities across Cape York will benefit from significant upgrades to local residential aged care facilities.
Nearly $1.6 million in federal funding will enable extensions, refurbishments and improvements at five aged care facilities in Cape York.
The new funding will be delivered under the federal government’s Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grants scheme.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said additional funding meant improving the quality and accessibility of aged care services for people living in remote communities in Cape York.
“This is a great festive season bonus, with these aged care homes set to receive the funding early in the New Year,” Mr Entsch said.
“This funding is part of the federal government’s $5 billion aged care funding boost, announced in the 2018-19 Budget.
“This is about listening, acting and delivering for these communities.”
Mr Entsch said Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council would receive $453,630, Mapoon Aboriginal Council would receive $416,410, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council would receive $149,276, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council would receive $291,500 and Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council would receive $249,088 under the scheme.
He said these five councils act as the local aged care service providers in those regions.
“Local projects funded include new staff accommodation, new kitchen facilities, refurbishment of laundry and toilet facilities along with upgrades to communal area and respite rooms to name a few.
“The federal government understand local aged care services face challenges their capital city counterparts do not.
“These upgrades will boost the productivity and sustainability of local aged care services, which play a critical role in these communities.”
Mr Entsch said the aged care sector would receive a further boost through the residential aged care capital grants under the Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) expected to be announced before April 2019.
“Thanks to our strong economic record, the federal government has also just announced $101.9 million to lift the annual Viability Supplement paid to eligible regional aged care providers by 30 per cent,” he said.
“I thank all the organisations that submitted applications and look forward to seeing the benefits of this funding for our senior Australians.”