Before and after …
Major renovations to cope with community demand
After years in the planning, Mersey Community Care has finally received the building permit to start renovations that will include new toilets to cater for people with disabilities, a lift for easy access to the second story, additional offices and a deck at the front of the building to provide a space for volunteers to relax and enjoy the Volunteer and Staff Memorial Gardens.
On Friday 24 April, Deputy Premier, Jeremy Rockliff (MLA) and MHR Brett Whiteley visited Mersey Community Care to discuss the possibility of the State and Federal Government providing funding to assist with the project that will benefit the North West Coast community.
General Manager, Ken Fitzpatrick said “The organisation really needs financial assistance as the cost of the construction has blown out considerably since first proposed”. Mr Fitzpatrick went on to say “We did not receive any Government assistance to purchase our current premises in 2006 and the building that was previously the Devonport Ambulance Station is now owned by the Association”. Mr Fitzpatrick explained that the organisation is experiencing an influx in the number of clients requesting services due to the ageing population in Tasmania and many new volunteers wanting to assist with the service delivery”.
Mr Fitzpatrick also said “The facility must be redeveloped to cope with the expected growth in demand for services due to the Commonwealth restructure of the Home and Community Care Program that will become the Commonwealth Home Support Program from 1 July 2015”.
Brett Whiteley was pleased that the organisation had already committed to the project and said “The State Government would be more likely to commit to funding that assisted the younger disabled in the community”.
Mr Whiteley asked if Mersey Community Care will be affected by the National Fees Policy due to be implemented in July and Mr Fitzpatrick explained that a new fees policy will create a more even playing field for all Community Transport providers, however the current proposal is a cause of concern for clients and their carers.
“If Community Transport Service Providers could accept the Government Transport Vouchers, like those that clients use when accessing Taxi’s, the cost of local transport would be more affordable for elderly people who are already being forced to choose between essential services”. Mr Fitzpatrick said.
Mr Whiteley congratulated the team at the Mersey Community Care Association for their years of dedication to their community.
Mr Whiteley said “Time and time again the Mersey Community Care team are there to help the elderly and vulnerable people with transport, minor home maintenance and social support”.
Mr Whiteley went on to say “Mersey Community Care has a new project that has received building and council approvals that will assist them in delivering these important services to the North-West and I will certainly be supporting any application for funding that the Mersey Community Care team makes at both a federal and a state level”.
Mr Fitzpatrick informed Deputy Premier Rockliff and Mr Whiteley that Mersey Community Care has lost over $300 000 in funding during the past three years and a large proportion of that money was for vehicle depreciation and one off vehicle replacement money.
Mr Fitzpatrick said “Unfortunately the Federal Government cannot provide funding to replace vehicles that are owned by the Association, the Government will only fund depreciation on vehicles that were purchased with Government funding, even though we still transport Commonwealth clients in vehicles owned by the Association and this has created an issue whereby the organisation can no longer upgrade vehicles on a regular basis and our fleet is aging rapidly”.
Mr Fitzpatrick went on to say “The building renovation will add value to the premises and may encourage the owners of the old Devonport Maternity Hospital to start developing the property, which is adjacent to Mersey Community Care”. Mr Fitzpatrick also said “Any funding either with the building or for vehicle replacement will be gratefully accepted”.
Construction at the site will start on the 4 May and will be completed by the middle of August. Once completed the building will become an outstanding community asset.
Kathryn Edmunds Operations Manager Mersey Community Care Association Inc.
