Quakers Hill rebuild begins

Government representatives, community members, emergency services workers and nursing home employees gathered today to mark the commencement of rebuilding the Quakers Hill nursing home which was damaged by fire in 2011.

Above: (L to R) Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly, NSW Ageing and Disability Services Minister Andrew Constance, NSW Opposition leader John Robertson and Domain Principal Group managing director Gary Barnier come together to mark the beginning of rebuilding works at the Quakers Hill nursing home.

The rebuilding of a Quakers Hill aged care facility damaged by fire in 2011 is underway following an onsite ceremony today with government representatives, community members, emergency services workers and nursing home employees.

The $20 million, 6300-square-metre Domain Principal Group (DPG) home will be about three times the size of the previous home. 

New South Wales Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Andrew Constance, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins, Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly and the state’s opposition leader John Robertson were among representatives joining DPG managing director Gary Barnier to turn the first sod.

“Today is a momentous day for us at DPG and for the residents of Quakers Hill as we begin to rebuild this important facility which is at the heart of the community and will serve as a vitally needed home for our older generation,” said Mr Barnier.

The November 2011 fire resulted in the deaths of 11 elderly residents. Three died during the fire with the remaining eight dying afterwards from their injuries.

Minister Constance said: “You test the heart of a community by how they bounce back from a tragedy, and today here in Quakers Hill we can look to the future with hope and optimism.

“We experienced such a devastating loss of life from that day in November 2011. Families are still living with the pain from losing a loved one, and it was also a day our emergency crews will never forget.

“But today is a new beginning. Today we build a new facility that the community can be proud of.”

The new facility, which is expected to open in 2014, will have 79 single and 24 double rooms and a purpose built and designed dementia wing for up 127 residents. 

DPG report the construction will create around 150 full-time jobs and the new home will employ up to 130 staff once in operation.

Tags: andrew-constance, domain-principal-group, fire, gary-barnier, quakers-hill-nursing-home,

1 thought on “Quakers Hill rebuild begins

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