Goondiwindi Regional Council to pledge $1.3m to redevelop former assisted living facility

An aged care facility, which abruptly shut in 2020, is set for a second life after a southern Queensland council announced it has pledged $1.3m to purchase and restore the centre.

A Queensland council has announced it will develop and restore a closed aged care facility, which abruptly shut its doors in 2020, leaving residents scratching their heads.

The Churches of Christ Aged Care Facility dubbed Mia Casa by residents at Inglewood, in southern Queensland, was the only of its kind in the small regional town.

The region was outraged in October 2020, when the centre abruptly closed down and gave residents only three week notice to pack and find another suitable residence. 

The 11 bed facility had served the community since 1995 before its closure.

Last week, Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg AM announced the council was “committed to purchase the Casa Mia site freehold and increase their investment towards the development of the site”.

It is understood the council will purchase Queensland government’s 2.237ha of Casa Mia land for $170,000 (plus expenses), and to increase its investment to $1.3m to develop the site.

The Inglewood aged care facility, known as Casa Mia in 2020. (Photo: File)

“Additional external funding is still required to complete the project in full, and council has submitted an application to the Queensland government which is progressing,” Mr Springbord said.

“However, this continuing financial assurance from council demonstrates our commitment to supporting our vulnerable Inglewood and district residents’ access to affordable housing suitable to their needs.”

Purchasing the land as a freehold removes the use of the land as aged care use only, as owning the land in this way “reduces risk to ratepayers,” the mayor said.

“Residents of Inglewood petitioned council following the closure of the former Casa Mia operations in late 2020 to take action. I am proud of the team at council that have committed to this project and look forward to when the repurposed facility will be up and running again,” he said.

Upon completion, the council’s vision for the site will see the facility redesigned as five independent and assisted living units.

It’s understood the council will undertake management responsibilities of the new facility.