The Not For Profit, based in Ballina, a town in the NSW Northern Rivers, will take over the operation of Feros Care Village at Byron Bay, the beachside town 772km north of Sydney's CBD, on 29 January, NSW Government Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper has announced.
In February 2023, Feros Care had revealed it would close the Byron Bay home because its 33-year-old buildings were deemed no longer fit for purpose. Initially, the home was scheduled to close on 23 June last year but when 10 residents refused to leave and took their case to the media, a one-month extension was granted until 19 July. However, a small number of residents remained.
The NSW Government, which owns the land, announced late last month that it will now give St Andrew's a long-term lease for the site following an Expressions of Interest process.
The provider, which operates one aged care home and four small retirement villages plus home care, has committed to:
- Deploy staff to commence operations at the Byron site quickly.
- Maintain the existing 40 residential aged care beds at the site.
- Invest an initial amount of almost $3 million to refurbish its facilities.
Todd Yourell, St Andrew's Chief Executive Officer, said the current residents would be its primary focus when taking over the operation.
"We look forward to meeting with them as soon as possible to consult and listen to them regarding the future of their home,” he said.
You can search retirement villages in NSW on villages.com.au.