Shire backs aged-care alternative

Carnarvon Shire councillors have voted against a proposal to locate a new high-end aged-care facility at Brockman Park.

Only three councillors voted in favour of a motion by Crs Ed Garrett and Kristan Pinner at a special council meeting on Tuesday, March 20.

Cr Pinner said he seconded this motion so it could be debated, not because he agreed with it.

He then seconded an alternative motion by Cr Eddie Smith to ask Health Minister Roger Cook and Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan to support a proposal to build a 38-bed facility at Carnarvon Health Campus.

This motion was passed.

The motion also included a request for the WA Government to reinstate a $16.6 million budget allocation for additional aged-care beds. Council minutes say this money was first allocated in 2012 after it received a feasibility study and consultant’s report.

Member for North West Central Vince Catania said the $16.6 million was for a 38-bed permanent care unit at the Carnarvon Health Campus to replace the ageing 16-bed Poinciana Lodge.

He said the Labor Government reduced the proposed development to a $10 million 22-bed facility in last year’s State Budget after defeating his Liberal-National government at the State election.

“All six councillors that voted in favour of the alternative motion need to be congratulated for having the fortitude to uphold the views of the local community,” Mr Catania said.

He said Shire president Karl Brandenburg and deputy president Mr Garrett should stand aside from any further discussions by the council with either the minister or the health department on behalf of the community.

Mr Catania said they had disqualified themselves by not voting to support the aged-care facility at the hospital and “their stated public position” against it.

He made a grievance motion on this subject in Parliament this month.