Boost to seniors' accommodation in Carnarvon

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

• Site works underway for $4.09 million seniors' housing project in Carnarvon
• 15 new units to be delivered on land owned by Gascoyne Memorial Foundation
• Made possible by Royalties for Regions and the Housing Authority 

The Liberal National Government today announced it would deliver 15 new seniors' accommodation units in Carnarvon.

Housing Minister Brendon Grylls said the $4.09 million development would be funded through the State Government's Royalties for Regions program and the Housing Authority.  The units will be built on land owned by the Gascoyne Memorial Foundation in George Street, Carnarvon.

"Gascoyne Memorial Foundation already owns and manages 35 one-bedroom seniors' units on that site, so this will be a perfect opportunity to grow the complex," he said.

The contract for design and construction of the accommodation units was last week awarded to local builder Northern Aspect Construction, with completion expected in April 2017.

"It's an added bonus that the Carnarvon economy will benefit from a local company being given the opportunity to take on this project," Mr Grylls said.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said it was important to provide regional seniors with the opportunity to remain in their communities as they aged.

"Addressing the needs of an ageing population is a responsibility shared across the whole of government and the community," Mr Redman said.

"This is yet another example of how Royalties for Regions is transforming the delivery of health and aged care services throughout regional Western Australia to ensure the sustainability of our regional communities."

Mr Grylls said the local construction sector would also benefit from the Liberal National Government's $564 million Social Housing Investment Package (SHIP).

Carnarvon builders are being engaged through a competitive Expressions of Interest process to ensure value for money and quality construction outcomes.

"These additional homes will go towards halving the priority wait list for seniors, and families with children," Mr Grylls said.

Fact File

• Under SHIP, the Housing Authority will provide an extra 1,000 social homes across WA by the end of June 2017 and a total of 1,350 homes over the next two years