Kellerberrin's aged-care facility refurbished

• $5.475 million from State Government's Royalties for Regions for Dryandra Residential and Community Care

• Growing demand for aged-care facilities in the Wheatbelt

The Wheatbelt now has access to a refurbished aged-care facility located in Kellerberrin, with the completion of Stage 2 of the Dryandra Residential and Community Care.

Premier Colin Barnett, who opened the facility today, said the $5.86 million Stage 2 project was made possible with $4.925 million from the State Government through Royalties for Regions.

"The expansion of the facility includes 21 additional rooms, which will allow more residents to remain close to their families as they need aged care," Mr Barnett said.

The construction of a dementia-specific wing will also accommodate the demand for dementia care services in the region.  New care equipment and servicing and room equipment has also been purchased as part of the refurbishment and there has also been a furniture fit out, landscaping and minor upgrades to the existing building.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Dryandra Residential and Community Care facility supported the continued development of age-friendly communities in regional Western Australia.

"With the ageing demographic growing in the Wheatbelt, it is important existing aged-care services and facilities are maintained and improved," Mr Redman said.

"An ageing population presents economic opportunities in health and aged care, leading to career diversity and the attraction of skills unique to the region.  Royalties for Regions projects such as this bring together networks essential to sustain healthy communities."

This project complements the Stage 1 development of the facility where $550,000 Royalties for Regions funding assisted with constructing a new kitchen, laundry, store room, cleaner's room, meeting room and a new larger medication/treatment room.

Fact File

• Total cost of Stage 2 was $5,862,274

• Royalties for Regions:  $4,925,250

• Dryandra Residential and Community Care:  $87,671 and $169,353 (in kind)

• Shire of Kellerberrin:  $180,000 (in kind)

• Department of Health:  $500,000

• The stage two extension includes:

• an additional 21 aged-care accommodation rooms (previously 26 rooms)

• dementia-specific wing with 13 dementia-specific rooms, an additional eight high-care rooms and associated service/treatment rooms

• Total cost of Stage 1 was $2,104,890

• Dryandra Residential and Community Care:  $1,468,490

• Royalties for Regions:  $550,000

• Lotterywest:  $86,400

• The facility is one of the first aged care and community health projects approved for funding under the Regional Development Council's Action Agenda Funding Round

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700