Two major initiatives have recently been approved by both the Uniting Aged Care Board and the Uniting Church in Australia Property Board.

Affordable Housing in Tasmania

In June 2009 Uniting Aged Care Victoria & Tasmania (UACVT) applied for funding under the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Package (NBESP) to develop affordable dwellings for older persons on current and future development sites across Victoria and Tasmania.

UACVT successfully received over $10 million dollars to build 50 dwellings on five sites in Tasmania (George Town, Aldersgate Village, Strathglen, Lillian Martin, and Strathdevon). The individual units will achieve a 6 star energy rating and will incorporate universal design principles to deliver dwellings that are accessible to older people with frailty or disabilities.

These developments will provide quality housing for older people who might otherwise not be able to afford to live in an environment which provides a socially inclusive community and the supports and services which enable ‘ageing in place’.

Construction of the dwellings will commence in approximately March 2010.

Redevelopment of Noble Park (Trewint)

Following a lengthy planning process, to which many staff contributed, I am delighted to announce that a $17 milliion redevelopment of our Noble Park services will commence very early in 2010.  We now have the final approval to construct a new 68 bed residential aged care facility and community care facilities on the existing Trewint site in Noble Park.

There have been some delays in the planning process due to local government town planning matters however, we are now ready to commence construction.  This is a very exciting development for staff, clients and residents who can be confident that these new facilities will shortly be developed.

The community care programs have relocated to another site during the construction period however residential services will continue onsite.  That means we will build part of the new facility, move the existing residents to the new facility, demolish the old facility and then complete construction. 

Many Thanks

Many managers and staff from both central services and in local services have contributed to these projects, thank you and well done – we are building services and facilities to meet the needs of older Australians into the future.

Robyn Batten
Executive Director