$36m building at Illoura Village opens soon
Chinchilla receives a state-of-the-art aged care accommodation facility, providing long-needed aged care resources to the southern Queensland region.
A new $36 million accommodation building in Illoura Village, Chinchilla has opened, making it the first new aged care home in 16 years for Queensland’s Western Downs region.
The new site was built in collaboration with the government via the Aged Care Approval Round and catholic not-for-profit provider Southern Cross Care Queensland, which contributed $17.5 million and $18.5 million respectively. It replaces 40-year-old facilities, and marks the first stage of the SCCQ’s plan to build the Chinchilla Wellness Hub.
Able to house 81 residents, the new building creates an additional 18 places for older residents of the Western Downs to remain in their local area as they age.
“We’re thrilled to open this exceptional home which reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality aged care in rural and remote communities,” said SCCQ chief executive officer Jason Eldering.
Part of SCCQ’s Chinchilla strategy announced in February 2023, the project also incorporates the refurbishment of another onsite building used by Southern Queensland Rural Health for a dedicated education and training hub and an eight-unit staff housing complex.
The new state-of-the-art development will set a new standard for aged care in regional Queensland, featuring modern amenities, private rooms with ensuites, and spacious communal areas designed to foster better connection and improve wellbeing.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells highlighted the government’s commitment to improving aged care in regional Australia, emphasising the importance of keeping older Australians connected to their communities while enhancing care standards and living environments.
“Australians living in regional and rural areas shouldn’t have to leave their communities and move to the city to get the care they need which is why our investment in Southern Cross Care Queensland is so important,” she said.
“We know the next generation of Australians entering aged care want a better model and standard of care than those before them and we are investing billions of dollars to raise those standards.”
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