General News
1 May, 2019
Kitchen and ambulance upgrades secured
Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan visited the facility last Friday to announce the $241,000 in capital funding.
FEDERAL Member for Wannon Dan Tehan visited the facility last Friday to announce the $241,000 in capital funding.
“These capital works will not only lead to bigger and better aged care services, but they will also support local construction jobs and businesses in and around Mortlake,” he said.
“Improving and expanding local residential facilities and aged care services is fundamental to keeping our communities strong.
“Our seniors play such a huge role in our rural and regional communities, so it is important that we look after them.”
Board chairman Mick Murphy said the funding would fully fund the two projects.
“The pleasing thing is that it doesn’t require a local contribution from us and that both projects are priorities in our capital works upgrade and replacement program,” he said.
“It is 100 per cent funded by the Federal Government, it’s in the budget and not dependent on the election result.
“This is a great investment in our long-term future. We are extremely grateful to Mr Tehan for his ongoing support of Abbeyfield Mortlake.”
Provided under the 2018-19 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR), the funding would allow for a full revamp of the facility’s commercial kitchen facilities and expansion of the ambulance bay to house new vehicles.
“The kitchen project will include a reconfiguration to improve staff working conditions and meal preparation flow, as well as maintaining necessary food standards well into the future,” Mr Murphy said.
“We’ll also be able to upgrade some equipment which will also contribute to the creation of a commercial kitchen facility that is better for everyone.
“The second project is to reconfigure the ambulance bay because the new ambulances are much taller than the older ones and now don’t fit under.”
The board has started preparations for its disaffiliation from Abbeyfield Australia at the end of the financial year, with its name changing to Aberlea.