The state government has revealed designs with a builder appointed for a new $62.8 million aged care facility in Mansfield.
The new 30-bed facility is set to replace the ageing Buckland House Aged Care facility and will be located next to the existing 42-bed Bindaree Retirement Centre which will also be refurbished to deliver a modern and spacious facility for residents.
Designs for the new facility showcase 30 modern single rooms and private ensuite bathrooms with a dedicated kitchen, dining, lounge and break-out sitting areas.
The designs ensure residents have open area views and an abundance of natural light, acknowledging the positive impact of green spaces and fresh air on residents’ physical and mental well-being, as well as increasing social interaction.
“We’re ensuring residents in Mansfield and surrounds receive state-of-the-art care in a home-like environment – with private bedrooms, bathrooms and an abundance of access to green spaces,” Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt said.
The new facility will also provide a dementia-friendly environment that is better suited to supporting the mental health and complex care needs of older Victorians.
The dementia-friendly design focus means residents can ‘age in place’ which is particularly important in regional areas like Mansfield – allowing residents to remain close to their support networks and maintain family and community connections as their care needs increase.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Mansfield District Hospital and A W Nicholson, the new facility is expected to be completed in late 2027.
The Minister for Health Infrastructure, Mary-Anne Thomas said: “We’re building and upgrading infrastructure at our public residential aged care services right across Victoria, giving older Victorians safe, tailored facilities to suit their needs,”
In a boost to the Mansfield and surrounding districts’ economy, the project is also expected to create and sustain more than 180 construction industry jobs, in addition to job opportunities generated by the new facility once operational.
The project forms part of the $108.2 million Rural and Regional PSRAC Revitalisation Stage 1 to expand and refurbish public sector residential aged care facilities in Mansfield and Orbost.
“With a builder appointed and designs for this state-of-the-art facility now revealed, communities across Victoria’s High Country can look forward to seeing shovels in the ground on this project in coming months,” Member for Northern Victoria, Jacyln Symes said.
