Offers open: Contractors wanted in refurbishment of historic Casa Mia site at Inglewood

There has been a major update in the $1.3m redevelopment of an iconic and beloved Southern Queensland community site, with the project gearing up for its next phase.

Casa Mia was open for over two decades before closing in 2020. (Photo: file)

Contractors are wanted for the $1.3m refurbishment of a historic site in southern Queensland, as one council has revealed building offers are open.

Goondiwindi Regional Council announced last week the historic former assisted living facility Casa Mia would begin its next steps to reopening, after the site closed its doors in 2020.

The Churches of Christ Inglewood Aged Care Facility, known affectionately as Casa Mia, was the only aged care home to service the Southern Queensland community of Inglewood, east of Goondiwindi.

Goondiwindi Regional Council released the tender documentation for builders to submit a price to refurbish the Casa Mia site into five independent living units.

The council say its “an important milestone in the site’s redevelopment” and signifies the progress made by the community and council towards reopening the repurposed facility.

Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg AM said he sincerely thanked the Queensland government for their Housing Investment Fund grant that has allowed this project to proceed.

The news comes following Goondiwindi Regional Council’s recent purchase of the Casa Mia land as freehold, allowing the site to be considered for future community use.

The 11-bed facility had served the community since 1995 before its closure in 2020.

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.

“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,” Mr Springborg said in January.

“As a result, Inglewood now lacks vital aged care services, and impacted residents have had to relocate to aged care facilities in other towns.”

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

It is understood the council will undertake management responsibilities of the refurbished facility.