Mobile member out to broker a deal for Monto

Ridgehaven are desperate to end the burdensome standards imposed by the state government by negotiating the buy-back of the town's independent living units.

BRAINS TRUST: Councillor Paul Lobegeier, Hec Cilah, Mia Francis and MP Colin Boyce discuss the next step for Monto. Picture: Mackenzie Colahan

MANAGERS of Monto's aged care facilities are fed up with red tape and desperate to bring an end to the burdensome standards imposed by the state government.

Member for Callide Colin Boyce listened to their proposal when he set up shop at a Monto café this week, in a bid to hear the various concerns of aggrieved residents.

The final meeting of the day was reserved for members of the Ridgehaven Retirement Complex board, Paul Lobegeier, Hec Cilah and Mia Francis, who want to negotiate the buy-back of the town's independent living units (ILU) from the Department of Housing and Public Works.

While independently operated by Ridgehaven, the units, known as Aged Care Monto, are currently classified as social housing and are, as such, subject to relentless and increasingly onerous regulations they say are "pushing staff to the limit”.

Strict eligibility criteria imposed by the government have also proved problematic.

Residents have found themselves excluded from housing because they do not satisfy rigid income testing requirements.

Sitting at the top of Newton street, the ILU was intended to provide affordable accommodation for ageing residents wanting to move closer to town, without being forced to sell the family farm.

Ridgehaven believe Monto is best served with ownership of the ILU back in the community's hands.

Mr Boyce was optimistic the government would relinquish ownership of the facility and "wash their hands of it”.

"On face value, I think it looks like a good idea,” he said.

"It's backed by Paul.

"He's well aware of the issue, as are Ridgehaven that manages the facility.

"Those people obviously know what they're talking about and are acting in the best interests of the local community, so I support it.

"I'll be pursuing that and trying to broker a meeting with (Minister for Housing and Public Works) Mick de Brenni and see if we can come to an agreement.”