Lodge wins Coalition support for redevelopment of ageing facility

Nathalia Cobram Numurkah Health has supported a community campaign for redevelopment of the 46-year-old building, which it says is “unfit for purpose” and was assessed as “end of life” by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2009.

Shadow Treasurer David Davis said if the Coalition won government in the November state election it would consider NCN Health’s already completed master plan and feasibility study for guidance on how a new facility would look, operate and where it would be located.

“Obviously, this is an important piece of infrastructure for Numurkah, obviously, you do need the proper facilities in town, and obviously, the rebuild is important,” Mr Davis said.

“So we’re aware the business case or the bigger work that has been done is, I think, very robust and we certainly would support it.”

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said the Coalition’s commitment of $25 million was a more accurate figure than Labor’s promise of up to $55 million to redevelop the facility.

“So the amount that's actually asked for by the hospital is slightly less than the $25 million (we are committing), so there’s a little bit of contingency there,” she said.

“That does include a brand new building connected to the Karinya Lodge, and it's been fully costed by the hospital at this stage.

“The government's commitment is up to $55 million. If they can build it for 25, they will, so it's not saying that they're going to commit 55, it's just up to, and it seems absolutely bizarre that when they're in government, if they've done the work on this project, they would have known that proper costing and they would have committed the actual amount and they would have committed an amount in the budget rather than as an election commitment, given they haven't even got a Labor candidate here in Shepparton yet.”

Liberal candidate for Shepparton Cheryl Hammer said the commitment was vital.

“I have visited the Numurkah Pioneers Lodge and have seen first-hand the inadequate 50-year-old facilities the residents are living in, and it’s about time the hard-working staff that provide wonderful care to the residents are supported to continue doing that long into the future,” she said.

Nationals candidate for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said a redevelopment would help elderly people needing care to stay close to home.

“Numurkah Pioneers Lodge plays such an important role in caring for elderly residents close to family and support networks, and this commitment is a small way of recognising that hard work and dedication,” she said.