Committee created to tackle aged care issues in region
A committee has been called to stand to resolve the problems facing the elderly community in the small town of Inglewood after their only aged care facility closed its doors abruptly.
Council
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A committee of medical professionals, aged care staff, and Goondiwindi Regional Council officers will band together to resolve the lack of aged care facilities in the town of Inglewood, following the abrupt closure of their only retirement village.
Goondiwindi Regional Council voted to form a steering committee which will research options for the provision of aged care services in the town.
The only aged care facility in the town, known as Casa Mia, shut its doors at short notice last year, leaving many residents in the lurch, without alternate living arrangements.
The lease on the former Casa Mia site ends in 2025, and the Churches of Christ Aged Care Service confirmed via written statement that they were in confidential discussions with the Queensland Government’s Department of Resources regarding the future of the site.
Council has inquired about the land since Casa Mia’s doors closed, and the State Government stipulates the sites use must be for the provision of aged care services only.
The future of the land, however, is in CoC’s hands, which means they could sell the site, lease it, transfer it or seek to renew the lease.
The steering committee will work with experts and aged care service providers to prepare the Inglewood community for any of those situations.
Goondiwindi Mayor Cr Lawrence Springborg said more than 100 people attended the meeting.
“While we were disappointed that representatives of CoC Queensland were not able to attend, Council appreciates their written statement,” he said.
“I’d also like to mention that Casa Mia provided aged care services to the Inglewood community for 25 years, and I’d like to thank them for that service on behalf of the many local families who benefited from it.
“Unfortunately, the private lease of the former Casa Mia site is managed by the State Government and therefore outside of Council’s control.
“But we’ve had significant local sponsorship and support through the petition and, looking ahead now to the future, I am hopeful that the new steering committee will be ready with aged care options if and when the lease becomes available.”
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