Federal Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has announced that St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle will receive $6.5 million under the Building Better Regions Fund for the construction of a dementia-specific facility on its Emmaus site in Port Macquarie.
The project will see the construction of a community centre, a world-class memory support village comprising 12 communal homes, a retail village, and offices.
St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle is part of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, which has provided industry leading aged care services to the Hastings community for over 40 years. This latest project will bring this rich history of care to the modern world stage.
“I’m extremely pleased to secure the funding for this ground-breaking facility. When I first saw the plans it was incredibly inspiring.” Mr Conaghan said.
“The team at St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle has undertaken extensive research into the latest gold-standard practices for caring for those living with Dementia developed in the Netherlands and will be bringing that to Australia.”
St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Chief Executive Officer Adam Spencer welcomed the Federal funding announcement.
“On behalf of our Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley and St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle General Manager Bronwyn Chalker, I welcome the funding provided by the Federal Government and am delighted to be able to officially announce the grant,” Mr Spencer said.
“This substantial funding will enable us to ensure the NSW Mid North Coast is a lighthouse for dementia care in Australia.
“The facility will be built in a village-style incorporating twelve homes accommodating 93 residents with a diagnosis of dementia. Each home will comprise 7-8 individual resident bedrooms with private ensuite and shared living, dining, kitchen, laundry, and outdoor areas.
“It will be complete with streets, entertainment and BBQ areas, quiet reflection areas, and linked pathways to the community centre. The Village has been designed with resident wellbeing in mind, providing an environment which offers engagement, social interaction, and time outdoors designed to improve the quality of life of residents.”
Mr Spencer said the funding would not have been possible without support from Pat Conaghan.
“Mr Conaghan has always been extremely supportive of this project and is as passionate as we are about its intended outcome, which will make such a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia and their families, as well as giving the local economy a boost in terms of job creation.”
The project has already been approved by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and work is expected to commence in the near future.
