Creation of an innovative aged care service hub in Kununurra has taken a big step forward.
Juniper, a Uniting Church WA agency providing community and residential aged care, has announced that Pindan Contracting, an experienced construction company, has been appointed to build the organisation’s new 30-place care facility.
Juniper chief executive, Vaughan Harding, said the project was a boost for Kununurra, delivering important infrastructure and services to the town and wider community.
“The commencement of construction is a significant milestone and we will see over the coming months the creation of a modern facility that will serve as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for aged care services designed to meet community needs and aspirations,” he said.
“The project will help stimulate local employment, career pathways and opportunities for student placements.”
Designed for local conditions and climate, the aged care hub’s responsive amenities include:
- a covered activities area catering for all residents, clients and visitors;
- modern administration offices, a medical consulting room and nurses’ treatment room for residents and community clients;
- a large commercially-equipped gourmet-style kitchen serving a large internal dining room that overlooks the courtyard and alfresco dining areas; and
- plans for five onsite staff accommodation units.
Pindan Contracting commenced site works on 20 April, with construction planned to start shortly afterwards. Construction is expected to be completed by February 2018. Located on the southern corner of Coolibah Drive and Ivanhoe Road, the new facility will feature a range of accommodation layouts including single rooms with ensuites plus two and three-bedroom rooms with ensuites. The new service brings together 30 residential aged care places with home care and support services.
Juniper’s existing community care program in Kununurra will be fully operational during the construction of the new facility. Stakeholder consultation has been key with community, government, health and representatives providing input into the development of the new facility and services. The program commenced in July 2014 and builds on a strong Uniting Church commitment to supporting the region over 20 years.
Uniting Church agency Frontier Services (formerly the Australian Inland Mission) built the first in-land hospital in Kununurra in 1963. Juniper will jointly fund the project with the Commonwealth Government.
Pindan Contracting has completed a number of aged care and health projects in regional WA including a health centre in Dalwallinu; Gascoyne Health Redevelopment projects in Exmouth and Carnarvon; and the Kununurra Renal Hostel.