ACH to build $35m aged-care precinct in Elizabeth
ONE of Australia’s biggest aged-care providers will build a new $35 million, multistorey facility in the north, with 120 places.
ONE of Australia’s biggest aged-care providers will build a new $35 million facility in the north.
The multistorey ACH precinct next to the Lyell McEwin Hospital at Elizabeth Vale will offer 120 places for disability housing, short term accommodation, residential care and independent living.
To be known as Healthia, the facility is part of a bold vision by Playford Council to transform the Elizabeth area through the construction of new buildings.
It will include a specialised centre for research into aged care and training students.
Council approval has been granted for the project, with preparation of the 22,000 sqm site now underway.
The precinct will serve an area with some of the lowest health outcomes and highest premature mortality rates in Adelaide.
The current poor health outcomes are expected to be exacerbated by the closure 12 months ago of the Holden plant at Elizabeth.
ACH has estimated 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase and a further 1000 jobs created indirectly over the lifespan of the development. Once operational, more than 120 jobs will need to be filled.
Acting ACH Group chief executive officer Trudy Sutton said restoration and rehabilitation would be the facility’s key focus.
“We want to help people get better and get back into their own homes and communities,” she said. “It’s about ensuring people have every opportunity to recover, renew passions, restore health and tackle new challenges and to live in their own homes or the communities that they want.”
Ms Sutton said carers and relatives would be able to stay with residents if they required support while provision would be made for groups of up to 10 residents to live together. There would be retail outlets on its ground floor and a community garden.
Playford mayor Glenn Docherty welcomed the news the project was starting.
“This development is set to revolutionise the way people receive health and wellbeing services in the north,” he said.
“This will be another boost to our region, making it a great place to work, live and be supported at all stages of life.”
