Project funding: Redevelopment of the outdated Pioneers Memorial Lodge aged care facility in Numurkah can now progress after a long battle for funding.
Numurkah’s Pioneers Memorial Lodge has emerged as one of the big winners from the Andrews Government’s 2023/24 budget, winning a commitment of up to $55 million to rebuild the aged care facility.
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NCN Health Board chair Tricia Quibell welcomed the allocation, but said it came after a long decades-long struggle.
“After 20 years of advocating for much-needed financial investment, we are heartened to see the Victorian Government allocate up to $55 million to the redevelopment of Numurkah’s residential aged care home,” she said.
“At NCN Health, we strive to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of everyone who uses our services. The Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge residents are valued members of our caring local community.
“They’ve built business and contributed to the prosperity of our region. This important investment will deliver a modern and fit-for-purpose facility that will help our dedicated staff continue to provide the best care to the lodge’s 36 residents.”
Delighted: NCN Health Board chair Tricia Quibell.
Ms Quibell said a new lodge would be built next to the Numurkah Karinya Nursing Home and hospital acute ward and feature larger, more spacious, and functional rooms to allow for improved mobility and care.
It will have wider corridors to reduce the risk of trips and falls for residents, and visiting medical professionals will be able to consult residents in a specially designed consulting room.
“We thank our local communities for dedicating countless hours to advocate for this redevelopment,” Ms Quibell said.
“We also thank the local and state politicians and election candidates who listened to the needs of our community and heeded our requests.”
NCN Health CEO Jacque Phillips said the redevelopment was expected to begin by 2025.
“The redevelopment of the Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge is a priority major capital works project for NCN Health,” Ms Phillips said.
“The lodge has been an important facility for the Numurkah community for more than 46 years. We know the community will be interested in this exciting new chapter of the lodge’s history, and we will engage residents, their families, staff and the community at every stage of the redevelopment through ongoing community consultation.”
NCN Health will now work work with the Victorian Health Building Authority, the Department of Health and Moira Shire Council to get the project under way.
