Byron residents of Feros Care keep their homes after facing eviction
A handful of determined aged care residents have slain goliath to remain in their beloved North Coast home. Here is their story.
Byron Shire
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The tenacious residents of a North Coast aged care village have been gifted a welcome lifeline after facing eviction from their long-term home due to the threat of closure.
After months enduring an uphill battle, “massive stress”, poor food, cut services and imminent homelessness, the remaining residents at Feros Village in Byron can now rest assured they won’t be left out in the cold.
In an announcement by Crown Lands, Department of Planning and Environment on December 21 it has been revealed new operator, St Andrew’s Village Ballina will be taking over the reins.
Advocate and daughter of resident Mick Eddings, Maree Eddings said the residents will remain in the village.
“The residents are looking forward to having a new care provider in place in the new year that is committed to aged care and that this beloved community asset will be taken care of for future generations,” Ms Eddings said.
“Right now the residents are still taking it all in.”
Ms Eddings said the residents have enjoyed time with their families over Christmas, relaxing, knowing they are going to be taken care of.
St Andrew’s chief executive Todd Yourell visited the Byron village residents with chairperson Wendy Sharpe and clinical care manager Kirsty Ghassemi on Friday.
Mr Yourell said continued care will be provided to residents of the home, in what will soon be known as St Andrew’s Village Byron Bay.
He said St Andrew’s understands the ownership the Byron community feels towards the Marvel St site.
“We plan to offer a seamless transition for the eight current residents and we look forward to welcoming back any residents who have sought new accommodation since February and who may choose to return to the Marvell St site,” Mr Yourell said.
Upgrades to the facility in the short to medium term will include $120,000 for new beds, $150,000 for a new nurse call system and $48,000 for a new fall detection system as well as an upgrade to the facility’s kitchens.
“We believe we can improve and successfully operate the facility in accordance with the current class of use,” Mr Yourall said.
“We anticipate working closely with Byron Shire Council to carry out the upgrade with an absolute minimum of inconvenience to the residents.”
St Andrew’s Village Byron Bay will also offer places to those over 65’s who are grappling with low income, housing insecurity or other circumstances that heightens the risk of homelessness.
Resident Kate Smorty’s daughter Dianne Brien said the St Andrew’s staff spent around two hours with the residents outlining their plans and answering their questions.
“The transfer process will start soon,” Ms Brien said, “By January 29 Feros Care Ltd will be gone from Byron.
“We are hoping to rename the village something like “George’s Village Byron” because we can’t keep the Feros Village name.”
Ms Brien said the residents are “very relieved” and are looking forward to a better future and “better food”.
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