Disputed aged care project to proceed

THE State Government is pushing on with plans for a $13 million aged care project on the Eastern Shore, despite residents’ pleads to stop development at the heritage-listed site.

The Government yesterday announced tenders for construction at the Wirksworth facility in what is billed to be a “first-of-its-kind” high-quality care and accommodation to elderly Tasmanians who are financially disadvantaged, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

This facility will include residential care beds with independent living units, and will have capacity for up to 50 residents.

Its construction is expected to create 50 full-time jobs and provide total economic activity of $30 million, as well as create 31 full-time jobs for aged care staff.

Friends of Wirksworth convener Jim Lockley earlier this year said residents had been kept in the dark during the Government’s handling of the site.

Friends of Wirksworth has been campaigning since 1993 for the appropriate development of the site and in 2010 supported a Government report promoting educational, sporting and recreational uses for Wirksworth.

The State Government is also calling for tenders for the construction of a 25-unit housing complex on an inner-city site at 23-25 Goulburn St.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the $9m project would ease the city’s housing crunch.

“The Goulburn Street Residential Development is a key Government project to increase the supply of social housing,” he said.