THE Salvation Army is on track start construction on the much-anticipated Mossman Aged Care Centre once the wet season is finished.
The company’s Aged Care National Director, Richard De Haast, held a meeting with Douglas Shire Council and the Mossman District Nursing Home committee last week.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said she was thrilled with the enthusiasm the Salvation Army had shown for the project.
“We are really pleased that they are genuinely excited about getting this project underway,” she said.
“It will be a big moment for Mossman when tradies start moving onto that vacant lot and spending money at our small businesses.”
“Council will continue working with the Salvation Army throughout this process.”
The new 42-bed residential aged care centre is expected to create more than 40 local jobs during construction and more than 40 jobs once complete.
A development lease between Council and TSA was entered into in August 2016 for the Aged Care Facility on Council land located at Johnston Road, Mossman.
Council has invested significantly in the project including funding a business case, securing more than $500,000 funding for enabling infrastructure and waiving about $250,000 worth of infrastructure fees.
This helped on-site upgrades including construction of a new intersection with turning lane, a new road into the facility, footpaths, drainage, water and sewer connections and a new substation.
Council will also transfer ownership of the land to the Salvation Army when construction is finished.
Salvation Army 100% committed to start after wet season
Salavation Army Aged Care National Director Richard De Haast said the company was looking forward to starting construction.
“We are 100% committed to the current plans and look forward to starting this important project,” he said.
“We are very mindful that the community has been waiting a long time for the Centre to open, and we are focused on that as a priority.”
“We are currently tendering out the project to a range of parties.
“We’re expecting responses by early April, and to finalise by the end of the month, or at the latest, in May.
“We’ve made it clear to those parties that our expectation is that they will commence as soon as they have mobilised their workforce.”
Construction will be “special day” for Committee
Mossman District Nursing Home President Marjorie Norris has fought for the development for the past 22 years.
She said the next couple of months will be an exciting period for the committee.
“This project has been such a huge part of my life so to see this development hit the ground will be a special day,” she said.
“It is refreshing to have the Douglas Shire Council, Salvation Army and our committee working closely together with a clear way forward.”
