When things couldn’t seem worse for regional communities, the Central Queensland town of Clermont has been dealt another blow by this neglectful Federal Labor Government.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, was informed by Belyando Enterprise Network Inc. that their Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program grant application for a Seniors Living Project was rejected.
“I am utterly appalled by this decision from this Labor Government, who have probably never visited Clermont, let alone Central Queensland.
“It took 13 months for those involved in the project to be informed that they ‘did not fit the criteria for the grant’ with no feedback as to where they failed to fit,” Ms Landry said.
More than 25 per cent of Clermont’s population is aged over 60 years old. The closest permanent aged care service in a non-hospital environment is either in Emerald or Mackay.
“Clermont Seniors do not want to abandon their hometowns in some of their most vulnerable years. We need to be increasing allocations and support for Clermont’s increasingly aging population.
“By 2036, Clermont will have an undersupply of 187 aged care allocations. This problem needs to be addressed now,” Ms Landry argued.
The refurbishment project would see an upgrade to the existing 20-bed facility, as well as create 12 independent living units with 24-hour onsite management.
“The wealth of the nation comes from hard-working regional communities like Clermont. If we want that local innovation to continue, we must support long-term investment into Regional Australia, and that starts with our seniors,” Ms Landry said.
