Specialised Property Consulting nabs $35 Illoura expansion project

A million-dollar upgrade to Chinchilla’s aged care facility is one step closer to reality as a new contractor signs on to build the project.

The vital Illoura aged care Village at Chinchilla is one step closer to welcoming more residents and having a specialised dementia unit after a contractor has been selected to carry out works.

A Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise spokesman said Specialised Property Consulting secured the $35m project.

“(SPC) was recently appointed by Southern Cross Care Queensland to undertake the Project Manager role on the redevelopment of Illoura Residential Aged Care Facility,” he said.

“SPC will be overseeing and managing the development application, the design development, tender and construction.”

With bases in Toowoomba and Brisbane, SPC has overseen major projects in healthcare like the $60m redevelopment of the Armidale Hospital in New South Wales.

Southern Cross Care Queensland has owned and operated the facility for four decades.

A spokeswoman said the nursing home had 66 aged care places located in two dwellings, but planned to increase that number to 81.

“Due to the age of the homes and need for increased care services SCCQ is currently undertaking a master plan process for the site aims to rebuild the existing aged care into a contemporary, small house design… including a dedicated dementia-specific home,” she said.

“We understand the importance of financial and social sustainability in all our planning as these community assets and services will serve beyond us to support future generations.

“Our belief is that we need a mix of housing products co-located with aged care, community services and education to best meet the needs of the whole community.”

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Federal Government granted $14m to the project to ensure the future of aged care for Western Downs residents.

“I’m proud to have secured this funding for Illoura because it was a special part of my childhood staying with Col and Taylor who were the heart and soul of Illoura for so many years,” Mr Littleproud said.

”It’s a tragedy when our seniors are forced to move away from their rural community and everything they’ve ever known to a larger town or city to receive care as their needs change.”

Neighbouring aged care facilities in Tara and Miles were handed over to Southern Southern Cross Care in August after the Western Downs Regional Council struggled to staff the facilities.

The council announced the closure of the Tarcoola Aged Care Facility in Tara in July, before reversing the decision a month later.