Tarcoola Aged Care Facility: Maranoa MP David Littleproud said Western Downs Regional Council had options available to retain Tara nursing home

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has sensationally claimed Western Downs Regional Council was given options to retain the facility, but Mayor Paul McVeigh has hit back.

Western Downs Regional Council declined several solutions given to them by the Federal Government to keep the Tarcoola Aged Care Facility open, according to Member for Maranoa David Littleproud.

The decision to close the Tara nursing home was delivered by the council after hours of confidential deliberation on Wednesday at their general meeting, citing “legal and clinical advice” due to staff shortages.

Mr Littleproud has sensationally claimed however the council were given options to retain the centre, with its closure forcing close to 30 vulnerable residents to leave their town.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud was “deeply disappointed” to hear of the nursing home’s closure. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“The Federal Department of Health has been working closely with the local council to ensure continuity of care for residents,” he said.

“I understand the council is in negotiations with a third party who is in the final stages of a due diligence process.

“Despite having an interested party, the council has made the decision to close its Tarcoola facility.”

The MP said the Department of Health advised a staffing solution was available and could start as early as this week, but council declined.

“Council were also encouraged to contact the Department if the costs of these resources were prohibitive, so that additional support could be considered,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Our rural communities are crying out for skilled workers across various disciplines, particularly in the aged care sector.”

Tara's Tarcoola Aged Care Facility has been closed by council due to staff shortages. Picture: Contributed

Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh said there were offers but “no guarantees” by the Federal Government, with options including nurses travelling from South Australia, which is in lockdown.

“The council hasn’t just been working with the state and federal government, we’ve also engaged 17 agencies for nurses, with the unavailability of staff being incredible at the moment,” he said.

“On a national scale there are 100,000 vacancies for nurses in Australia, and this has been the issue of trying to get staff that can provide the absolute care residents in Tarcoola need.

“There was a high risk of us not being able to deliver that, which is why we unfortunately had to go through the process of closing those facilities.”

The process of enticing nurses to travel out to regional areas such as the Western Downs had also been a challenge for the council, according to Cr McVeigh.

Mr Littleproud said he was “deeply disappointed” to learn of the facility’s closure, and said it would cause great upset in the Tara community.

“It is important that all constituents are heard no matter where they live,” he said.

The community of Tara has been dealt a series of blows to its facilities in recent years. Picture: WDRC

“I strongly encourage the Western Downs Regional Council to be more transparent with the Tara community on how decisions are made within council, particularly when they affect a community’s most vulnerable.”

The closure of the Tarcoola Aged Care Facility adds to a long list of blows to the small rural town west of Dalby.

Earlier this year, council put plans in place to assist residents following the closure of the Tara Caravan Park, which will displace eight tenants and their families.

The community have also relentlessly rallied against the $6 million Tara Memorial Pool project, which plans to shorten the length of the town pool from 50m to 25m, among other enhancements during its makeover.