The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring older Victorians get the high-quality care they need and deserve, close to home - with construction now underway on a major new aged care facility in Rutherglen.
Premier Daniel Andrews today turned the first sod on the new facility which, when finished, will give residents a safe and comfortable place to call home.
The 50-bed facility will have private single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, in an environment that promotes dignity and independence. They will share a community room and common areas to encourage social interactions and activities between residents, families and the community.
It will provide an environment that is dementia friendly and better suited to supporting mental health and the complex care needs of older Victorians.
This means residents can 'age in place', which is especially important in regional areas like Rutherglen, ensuring residents can be close to support networks and maintain family and community connections as their care needs increase.
The Labor Government has invested more than $57 million to deliver the facility which will replace the existing Glenview Community Care Nursing Home.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Indigo North Health and builder Zauner Construction the project will create and sustain approximately 170 construction industry jobs during construction, with the new facility due for completion in 2025.
The new Rutherglen facility is part of the first stage of the Labor Government's Regional and Rural Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services Revitalisation Strategy to modernise ageing facilities which are home to some of our most vulnerable older Victorians.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 invested a further $162 million to deliver three world-class public sector residential aged care services across Victoria, building on the almost $700 million that was been invested since 2016.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
"We're ensuring that older Victorians can get high-quality public aged care, when they need it, closer to home and their loved ones."
"This new facility will support the independence, privacy and dignity of residents - while providing a modern and supportive work environment for our dedicated staff."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"The new facility in Rutherglen will meet a range of complex care needs - meaning locals won't have to move away to access care and can stay connected to family and community."
