Lifeline for care facility

WESTERN Downs Regional Council has announced Tara’s only aged care facility will remain open under new management, just one month after the council voted for its closure.

The decision was made at a special meeting on Thursday, where the council unanimously voted to arrange for Southern Cross Care Queensland to take over the operation of the facility and related services on Monday, September 6.

A community-based committee backed by Member for Maranoa David Littleproud had been formed after the council’s shock announcement, putting pressure on the council to find an alternative solution to ensure the community could continue to age in place.

The son of former mayor Phillip Bougoure and steering committee president Allan Bougoure said he was extremely happy with the outcome of the meeting.

“This means a lot to our community. Now current residents and future generations will be able to age in the place they call home,” he said.

“We created the committee to work with council, not against them, to ensure Tarcoola’s future.”

Mr Bougoure said it was also great news for the future of the town and staff, as the closure could have cost Tara’s economy $10 million in revenue with medical professionals having to move from the town.

The partnership with Southern Cross Care will spread further than Tara, as the approved memorandum of understanding is open for the possible transfer of ownership of all of the council’s aged and community care facilities.

The MOU includes Tarcoola, the Carinya Residential Aged Care Facility in Miles, and council-run community home care services and associated assets.

A council spokeswoman said subject to successful negotiations between the parties, the transaction was likely to be completed by the end of March.

Mayor Paul McVeigh said the council was confident the organisation would leverage its considerable expertise and experience in successfully operating aged care services in the region.

“I’m delighted that such a respected provider as Southern Cross Care Queensland has agreed to enter into formal negotiations with us,” he said.

“It would be a significant outcome for the Western Downs Region if council and Southern Cross Care successfully reached a final agreement.

“Both parties are going into these negotiations with a great deal of confidence and respect.”