Snowy Monaro Regional Council today announced a closure date of Thursday 28 March 2024 for Snowy River Hostel, following a vote at this afternoon's November Ordinary Council Meeting in Cooma.
The move follows a vote at Council's July 2023 meeting, which deferred any decision on the Berridale aged care facility's future until additional community consultation and investigation into future uses of the site were undertaken.
This decision provides residents, their families, and Council staff with the certainty they need to make arrangements and plan for the future.
Council will provide assistance to support residents and their families in finding alternative accommodation before 28 March. Specific support and assistance will be offered to Snowy River Hostel staff in finding new roles.
Expressions of interest will now be sought from organisations interested in providing respite care, or a similar service, from the Snowy River Hostel site.
This will address a genuine and growing need across the Snowy Monaro, with no dedicated respite facility available in our region.
Alternatives to this closure were discussed at length in the meeting today, following extensive discussions on this topic with the Berridale community and other stakeholders across government, community services, local aged care providers, and community groups.
The majority opinion at this afternoon's meeting concluded that without external funding, or another aged care provider willing to take over operations, Council could not afford to delay the closure of Snowy River Hostel any further. Most importantly, residents, families and staff deserve certainty about the future, with the time and support necessary to prepare.
Attempts by both Council and the community to secure additional funding to continue aged care services at Snowy River Hostel have to date been unsuccessful.
Council held a meeting on Thursday 9 November to personally inform residents, families and staff about the report coming to this afternoon's meeting.
Staff explained what today's decision would mean for residents, and reiterated Council's commitment to provide support and assistance to them through this transition.
The motion to close Snowy River Hostel was carried six votes to four. Councillors Davis, Hanna, Higgins, Hopkins, Mitchell and Summers voted in favour. Councillors Beer, Frolich, Stewart and Williamson voted against.
