Green facility to help overcome Newcastle’s bed shortage

CBCS’s new, eco-friendly facility in Newcastle.

A new $13 million facility in Newcastle will help alleviate the shortage of beds in the region.

Officially opened last week, the Christian Brethren Community Services’ (CBCS) facility has 60 private rooms with ensuites.

Recent figures from the Lake Macquarie Ageing Population Plan suggest that the number of elderly people in the region is expected to double by 2022

The ageing in place facility will provide low care, dementia care, high care and respite services. It also features an onsite kitchen, specially designed activities rooms and a fully equipped hairdressing salon.

The home has an environmental focus with a range of eco-friendly features including solar hot water, stormwater re-use for irrigation and flushing toilets and natural ventilation to minimise the need for air conditioning.

“It makes sense in two ways,” said the group’s CEO, Peter Mackie. “We looked at it from the viewpoint of the ecology of the area and we also can see that there will be financial benefits in the long run, as our water usage and electricity usage will be much lower.”

The home is set on a hilltop with views out to the Barrington Ranges.

The facility is also adjacent to a Christian Brethren retirement village and Mr Mackie said there would be a strong synergy between the two communities.

“We work very closely together and we are working on improving the relationship and taking it further,” he said.