Presbyterian Aged Care NSW & ACT (PAC) began selling off its aged care assets in 2021. In 2023, the Not For Profit announced it wanted to leave its Apsley Riverview Aged Care Facility in Walcha, a town at the southeastern edge of NSW's Northern Tablelands, 425km from Sydney.
Walcha Council and its community became anxious, with a median age of 50 in the area, and the fact it is the only residential aged care home in the town (there is a local Multipurpose Service with aged care), and decided to intervene.
"In many ways the transition goes against current trends in the aged care sector," said Eric Noakes, the Mayor of Walcha, 0n 27 October 2024, when it was announced the Council was taking over.
"Some councils are exiting this sector, as in a time of changing legislation and an ageing population pressure on the viability and clinical care delivery is challenging. We took this move fully aware of the pitfalls and challenges that we as a community face, but also fully aware of the strength and support of this community and we will succeed."
Apsley Riverview Aged Care Facility has 31 single beds. Walcha Council will assume its management on 26 February.
PAC sold its retirement village and aged care home The Terraces in Paddington, 3km east of Sydney’s CBD, to Anglicare in November 2023, and its home care business to Baptistcare in March 2024.
