Group vows to fight aged care centre

occupants were in the house. Anyone with information can contact the Bellerive Criminal Investigation Branch on 6173 2685 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A CONTROVERSIAL $13 million aged care facility on the Eastern Shore, which would create 50 full-time construction jobs, is now before Clarence City Council.

Last week, Housing Tasmania submitted a development application to the council for the facility to be built at Wirksworth Camp, opposite Clarence High School.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch says the facility will provide a total economic injection of about $30 million, as well as create about 31 fulltime jobs over the long-term for aged care staff.

TasCOSS, Shelter Tas and Council on the Ageing Tasmania have all welcomed the facility, which will support older Tasmanians on low incomes, aged over 55 and meeting relevant aged care assessment criteria.

But the Friends of Wirksworth group is planning a campaign against the development once the public consultation period begins.

Convener of the group Jim Lockley said the design and use of the facility did not reflect the heritage, environmental and community values of the site, and he feared many trees would be removed in the process.

“We are meeting with Housing Tasmania today to discuss the matter, but consultation with Housing Tasmania has been difficult,” he said. But Mr Jaensch disagreed. “Considerable consultation with the local community has taken place with local residents providing a significant amount of feedback which has helped to inform the final plans that have been submitted to council,” he said.

“The existing Wirksworth House would be preserved in accordance with Heritage Council regulations and used constructively in accordance with these regulations.”

Mr Jaensch said the facility would only take up about a third of the site.

“Subject to approval, the remainder of the site would become the subject of further community consultation to determine what sort of use would provide the most value to local residents,” he said

TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said Tasmania needed development like this to meet the growing demand to support older Tasmanians on very low incomes, and to ensure they had a safe home and appropriate care and support.

“TasCOSS is pleased to see this important development progressing to the next stage,” she said.

“Many older Tasmanians on low incomes are struggling with a range of financial pressures.”

The facility will be operated by Wintringham.