Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced eight additional aged care places and Federal funding of $765,000 to expand Burrowa House at Boorowa.

Mr Taylor visited Burrowa House on Monday with Liberal candidate for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman to congratulate the management board and share the good news with residents.

Mr Taylor said the expansion plans for Burrowa House were extensive, representing a 66% increase in residential accommodation.

“I am so delighted to make this announcement because I know Phil and his team have been sweating on this for a long time,” Mr Taylor said.

“Capital works are expected to be underway later this year and the number of residential aged care places will increase from 12 to 20.”

Board spokesman and project manager Phil Armitage said the news was very exciting for Boorowa.

“There will be some increases in staffing and some increases in cost, but not on a pro rata basis. It’s going to be cheaper for us to manage and we’ll be able to offer a better service to residents,” Mr Armitage said.

“For the first time, we hope to have accommodation for dementia residents in Boorowa.”

Welcoming the Federal support, state Liberal candidate Wendy Tuckerman said Burrowa House was at the heart of the community, as well as being an important local employer.

“The rooms are nearly always full here, reflecting the need in this region for these additional residential places, and the service provided is invaluable to the local community,” Ms Tuckerman said.

“There are about 19 part-time staff employed here, with the exception of Judy-Anne who is the full-time care manager. I know the board has been applying for this funding for many years and it is great to be here to welcome this announcement for Boorowa.”

The capital works program will include construction of 11 new single rooms at Burrowa House, as well as the demolition of three existing smaller rooms to make way for common areas, a passageway and some new office space.

The capital grant funding for Burrowa House and the additional residential care places are part of the 2018-19 Australian Government’s Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR). Across Australia, more than 13,500 new residential aged care places will be funded under the 2018-19 allocation and $60 million in capital grants will allow providers to undertake necessary capital works.

Caption: Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, with Liberal candidate for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, delivered the good news to Burrowa House this week of Federal funding and additional aged care places to allow major expansion plans to go ahead.