Inside the chambers when council voted to close Tarcoola Aged Care Facility in Tara

Here’s what happened when the region’s representatives made the unanimous decision to close the aged care facility, displacing residents and devastating the community.

CLOSED: The Western Downs Regional Council has made the decision to close the Tarcoola Aged Care Facility in Tara. Pic: Supplied

After hours of confidential deliberation, the Western Downs Regional Council voted unanimously to close the Tarcoola Aged Care Facility, displacing 33 residents.

The council said they had been struggling to find staff for the Tara facility for months and held concern for the quality of care to residents.

At the ordinary meeting on Wednesday, councillor Kaye Maguire moved her motion for the council to go ahead with the “planned, controlled, and respectful closure” of Tarcoola based on “legal and clinical advice”.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Andrew Smith.

Mayor Paul McVeigh asked councillors if anyone wished to speak against the motion to close the facility, although a deep silence fell across the floor.

After none challenged the motion in the public eye, Mrs Maguire said it was a tough and heartfelt decision to close the nursing home.

“It’s really important that we follow that advice to ensure that we have a planned, controlled and respectful (closure),” she said.

The motion included six points which stipulated the council would support residents and families with relocation, advocate for a community based aged care provider, and to continue to run the Miles Carinya Aged Care Facility in Miles.

The council said the Miles facility would continue to run subsequent to adequate staff levels to ensure the proper care of residents, as well as Carinya care services.

Councillor Carolyn Tillman did not vote due to a conflict of interest.

In trying to find a new home for the residents, the Mayor said it will be challenging to find somewhere within the Western Downs.

“Right across our region there is a lack of beds… there is an issue right around our area and further abroad. We need to be looking at where we can relocate these people,” he said.

Mr McVeigh the council had been working on issues at Tarcoola since he first became Mayor in 2016.

“We have been trying to progress the opportunity for a service provider to come into this space… but we have been unable to find that right business to come in and maintain these facilities,” he said.