East Arnhem Land receives $20 million aged care service boost

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck says providing safe and quality aged care services in remote areas is vital to maintaining strong and healthy communities.

Mr Colbeck says, “Our Government is committed to delivering aged care services for senior Australians in remote areas because it is important people are able to age where they have lived, worked and raised their family.

“For Indigenous communities in places like Nhulunbuy it is particularly vital that elders are able to maintain strong connections with country and remain leaders in the local area.

“For this reason the Nhulunbuy Flexible Aged Care Service was also designed in close consultation with locals, which has ensured buildings and outdoor spaces are appropriate for Indigenous cultural activities and customs.”

This contribution by the Government is supported by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program, who fund organisations to provide culturally appropriate aged care so people can remain close to their homes and communities.

The Commonwealth and Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) collaborated together to develop the Nhulunbuy Flexible Aged Care Service.

General Manager of ARRCS Group, Tamra Bridges, says the local community involvement is important in delivering flexible aged care services to the area.

“We greatly look forward to partnering with local communities to help develop and implement culturally appropriate aged care services in East Arnhem Land and contributing to the improvement of aged care service quality and accessibility for Indigenous Australians,” Ms Bridges explains.

“A key focus for ARRCS during the development phase will be to build a local skilled workforce from within the Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem Land communities.”

Construction of the aged care facility starting in late 2019 with expected completion in 2021 and encompasses 32 ensuite rooms and a palliative care unit. 

Liberal Senator of the Northern Territory Country, Sam McMahon welcomes this aged care investment in the remote area.

“This new Nhulunbuy aged care service will also provide the option of home-based care so that people receive the support they need in their own homes later in life,” Senator McMahon says.

“Delivering this new service will also provide long-term jobs for local people to staff the new home and jobs during construction.”