Western Downs Regional Council votes on Tarcoola’s future

One month after the Western Downs Regional Council voted to close Tara’s only aged care facility and relocate vulnerable residents across the state, the council has made another move.

Tarcoola Residents Neil Smith, 84, Betty Shepheard, 91, and Jeanette Grimes, 84, said they were devastated to hear the council planned to move them from their home. Pic: Peta McEachern

One month after the Western Downs Regional Council voted to close Tara’s only aged care facility and relocate vulnerable residents across the state, the council announced the vital facility will remain open under the new management of Southern Cross Care.

The decision was made at a special meeting of on September 2, 2021, were the council unanimously voted to arrange for Southern Cross Care Queensland to take over the operation of the facility and related services on Monday, September 6.

A community-based committee backed by Member for Maranoa David Littleproud was formed after the council’s shock announcement, putting pressure on the council to find an alternative solution to ensure the community could continue to age in place.

The son of former mayor Phillip Bougoure and steering committee president Allan Bougoure said he was extremely happy with the outcome of the meeting.

“This means a lot to our community, now current residents and future generations will be able to age in the place they call home,” he said.

“We created the committee to work with council, not against them, to ensure Tarcoola’s future.”

Mr Bougoure said I was also great news for the future of the town and staff, as the closure could have cost Tara’s economy a $10m loss in revenue with medical professionals having to move from the town.

The partnership with Southern Cross Care will spread further than Tara as the approved memorandum of understanding is open for the possible transfer of ownership of all of the council’s aged and community care facilities.

The MOU includes Tarcoola, Carinya Residential Aged Care Facility in Miles, and council-run Community Home Care Services and associated assets.

A council spokeswoman said subject to successful negotiations between the parties, the transaction was likely to be completed by the end of March.

Mayor Paul McVeigh said the council was confident the organisation would leverage its considerable expertise and experience in successfully operating aged care services in the region.

“I’m delighted that such a respected provider as Southern Cross Care Queensland has agreed to enter into formal negotiations with us,” he said.

“It would be a significant outcome for the Western Downs Region if council and Southern Cross Care successfully reached a final agreement.

“Both parties are going into these negotiations with a great deal of confidence and respect.”

Cr McVeigh said the council had never lost sight of its duty of care for the community of Western Downs, especially in Tara.

The Mayor said councillors “very reluctantly” voted to close Tarcoola due to persistent staffing shortages, but had stuck to its commitment to find a solution that would allow aged care to remain in Tara.

“Council certainly appreciates the patience, respect and understanding shown by the residents and staff of Tarcoola, as well as the local community,” he said.

Southern Cross Care Queensland CEO Jason Eldering said the move to Tarcoola aligned with the organisation’s commitment to caring for vulnerable Queenslanders and accommodating them in times of need.

“We have a strong track record in ensuring established communities can continue to operate and we have developed expertise in successfully transitioning other homes in rural and regional locations including Taroom, Chinchilla, Murgon, Nanango and Allora,” Mr Eldering said.

“We are confident we can deliver the same model of quality, sustainable aged care in Tara and Miles by working in close partnership with the communities we serve, including the local staff, residents and their families.”

“This process will see us enter into a community contract if you like with the council, State and Federal governments, and other key stakeholders to ensure we are all committed to a regional strategy for the long-term viability of the aged care communities at both Tara and Miles,” he said.