By Jessica Micallef
Apartment-style living is being planned as part of a $60 million redevelopment of aged care facilities in the Macedon Ranges.
Aged care provider Benetas is hoping to build an apartment complex for older residents at the St Mary’s Medical Centre site on Neal Street, Gisborne.
The apartments, which will each have their own care team for residents, are part of a four-stage plan by Benetas to refurbish existing facilities and extend allied health and home care services. As part of the plan, Gisborne Oaks Residential Aged Care, also on Neal Street, will have its lounge and dining rooms remodeled and refurnished, the kitchen upgraded and a new private dining room added for residents and their families.
The refurbishment is expected to start at the end of the year and be completed by early 2020.
Macedon Ranges Health Centre will be renovated to maximise office space and a new retirement village is being planned for land neighbouring the centre.
Benetas chief executive Sandra Hills said the facilities would put residents and their families at the forefront of aged care.
“We’ve undertaken extensive research to develop the Benetas best life model of care that instills a person-centred approach to aged care,” she said. “We’re thrilled to bring this calibre of care to the Macedon Ranges, to find that balance between fostering connection among one another and supporting people to live their lives by how they wish.”
The redevelopment plan will be available for viewing at 5 Neal Street, Gisborne from August 19-21, between 10am-2pm and at the corner of Aitken and Hamilton streets on September 1, between 9am-2pm.
The plans are expected to go before Macedon Ranges council at its September meeting.
