28/11/00
Elderly residents and their families will benefit significantly from a first class aged-care facility opened in Gnowangerup today by Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan.
Mr Cowan said the new facility was a concrete example of the Government’s key health policy of delivering quality health care close to where people live.
“This excellent new facility - Mallee Springs - will enable elderly residents to stay in Gnowangerup, close to their family and friends,” he said.
“Mallee Springs incorporates eight single-bed rooms and should prove to be a real asset for the district.
“The attractive, wide verandahs will provide a welcome retreat during the hot summer and the courtyard provides a quiet, private place for residents and their families to sit and talk.
“It really is a first-class development and nothing less than the residents, and their families, deserve.”
Mr Cowan said the local community had contributed significantly to the development of the facility, adding $120,000 to the State Government’s contribution of $940,000.
“The total cost of the new development was $1.2 million, with the local Shire contributing a total of $40,000 and Gnowangerup’s Homes for the Aged donating $80,000,” he said.
“On behalf of the State Government, I would like to thank the local community, the staff and everyone else who was involved in this initiative.
“Gnowangerup is well-known for its strong community and this is a wonderful example of how people can work together.
“The State Government is also committed to building stronger communities and this project exemplifies that approach.
“This new aged care facility will benefit the community for generations to come.”
Mr Cowan said the State Government would spend $1.9 billion on health in the current year, an increase of $86 million over the past year.
“Under the Coalition, the overall Health budget has risen on average 6.5 per cent each year,” he said.
“It is approximately $700 million higher than it was when the Coalition was first elected.
“In fact, the Australian Bureau of Statistics ranks WA first among States in spending on health on a per capita basis.”
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595
