WORK has begun on major extensions to Donnybrook aged care facility Tuia Lodge.
22,500 cubed metres of sand are currently being laid for the foundations of the extension, which will provide a total of 40 aged care beds for the facility and employ a total of 55 staff members for the facility.
Tuia Lodge Board Chairman Lui Tuia said it was hoped the foundations would be completed within three weeks.
Tenders for the building project have been called and will close on July 8.
“It’s a big project,” Mr Tuia said. “It will provide Donnybrook with a viable aged care facility.
“When we complete this, the community of Donnybrook will have put in $3.846 million to aged care, plus a lot in kind.”
Mr Tuia said he hoped the project would be completed by the end of June 2015.
Tuia Lodge will soon be incorporated as a charitable body.
Mr Tuia said as of July 1 2014, substantial changes throughout Australia would mean there was more onus on a user pays system in aged care.
“Anyone is welcome to contact the manager of Tuia with any query on aged care,” he said.
Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Chief Executive John Attwood said the project was the fruition of three years work, and funding was now assured.
“It’s good to see the earthworks started,” he said.
