Western Downs Regional Council secures major transfer deal with Southern Cross Care Queensland

After a tumultuous year of heartbreak and uncertainty that saw aged care residents moved out of their homes and away from loved ones, a new provider has taken over the region’s vital facilities.

After a tumultuous year of heartbreak and uncertainty that saw aged care residents moved out of their homes and away from loved ones, Western Downs Regional Council has signed off on a major contract to transfer its aged and community care services to Southern Cross Care Queensland.

The transfer includes Carinya Aged Care Facility in Miles, Home Care Services, and Tarcoola Aged Care Facility in Tara, which was resurrected after the council unanimously voted for SCCQ to take over operations in September.

The near-loss of Tara’s only aged care facility caused outrage across the community, with the threatened closure of the vital 33-bed facility leaving residents and their families shattered and at a complete loss as to where they would be forced to move.

The council pointed at the time to a shortage of qualified registered nurses and said the facility would be closed in the near future based on “legal and clinical advice”.

Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh said the transfer marked the beginning of a new chapter for aged care services across the region, with both parties now working towards a completion date of 1 April, 2022.

“This transfer is pivotal to achieving the council‘s long-held vision to establish a quality aged service in the Western Downs that delivers a wide range of care options for the future of the region,” Cr McVeigh said.

The council will invest $11.88 million in SCCQ under the contract to cover capital expenditure and service maintenance costs.

All facilities, plant and equipment will also be transferred to SCCQ at no cost.

“This transfer of assets will impact our budget result this financial year, however the council views this as significant investment in the future of the aged care in the Western Downs,” Cr McVeigh said.

Southern Cross Care Queensland CEO Jason Eldering, Mayor Paul McVeigh, CEO Jodie Taylor.

Cr McVeigh said the demand for improved aged care was growing throughout Australia and would only increase as more of the population reached retirement age and beyond.

“The Western Downs is no different to other regions when it comes to people wanting access to quality aged care in their senior years,” he said.

“We believe the best way to achieve this is through the involvement of a quality, fully-integrated aged care service provider such as SCCQ.

“Because of its resources, established skilled workforce and extensive experience, SCCQ brings a specialised level of service to aged and community care in the Western Downs.”

SCCQ employs more than 1000 staff and provides services for over 1400 Queenslanders in 11 aged care facilities and five retirement villages, as well as those receiving in-home care.

The organisation already operates the Illoura Village in Chinchilla and announced a $28.7 million redevelopment of the facility earlier this year.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said he worked with residents, the council, and SCCQ to ensure aged care continuity for the rural communities.

“It's a tragedy when our seniors are forced to move away from their rural community – and everything they’ve ever known – to a larger town or city to receive care as their needs change,” he said.

“ (SCCQ)’s commitment to the Western Downs means our seniors can remain in our region as their needs change, close to the support of family and friends and with the necessary facilities to ensure the best of care.”

Originally published as Western Downs Regional Council secures major transfer deal with Southern Cross Care Queensland