'Historic investment': Hastie secures $17.6 million annually for 260 new aged care places in Mandurah

The cash splash is part of the single-biggest residential aged care expansion program in Australian history, which is shaped through the federal government's recently announced $967 million commitment.

A record 13,500 new residential aged care places across Australia will be funded each year.

In Mandurah, the government is partnering with aged care and service providers Signature Care and Opal Aged Care to build two new aged care facilities.

Planning is already underway to construct the buildings at sites in Halls Head and in Dawesville.

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Mr Hastie revealed a partnership between the government and Opal Halls Head to provide 120 places at 89 Leisure Way, Halls Head and with Signature Care for an additional 144 at 33 Bailey Boulevard, Dawesville.

The financial backing comes at a poignant time for the industry, which has been red-flagged and thrown under intense spotlight during a momentous review.

Following damning reports of misconduct in the sector, the federal government committed to support the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Established by Australia's governor-general Peter Cosgrove in October 2018, the commission has already uncovered abuse and neglect in the raft of hearings it has held.

Commissioners are required to provide an interim report by October 31 and a final report by April 30, 2020.

Mr Hastie said the Royal Commission was one of a raft of actions the federal government was taking to support aged care nation-wide.

"This investment is historic. Over $17.5 million per year for those 264 beds in Halls Head and Dawesville," Mr Hastie told the Mandurah Mail.

"It's part of a broader national investment. We're also holding the Royal Commission into aged care. It's great news and it shows that the Morrison Government takes health and aged care very seriously.

"A lot of my constituents are retirees. They need to be looked after and they need to know that the government takes their concerns seriously."

The $967 million expansion is part of the government's $5 billion "aged care boost".

It represents an increase of more than 36 per cent on the 9911 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) places announced in 2016-17.

Mr Hastie said under this arrangement, annual aged care funding throughout Australia will grow from $18.1 billion to $23.6 billion a year by 2022-23.

He said the commitment was about giving older Australians more choices for longer and better lives.

"I'm just really excited for our community," Mr Hastie said.

"We have an ageing population. It has often been the case that people have had to move away from their home once they get to a point where they need nursing care.

"This has been an issue that has been raised regularly and routinely by my constituents.

"Now, they'll be able to seamlessly transition and stay within their local community, which is great news.

"It gives our seniors the option of downsizing because a lot of them aren't sure what to do when they reach a point that they need extra help.

"If we actually have options for people in the local community it will make that transition a lot smoother and they'll be less anxious around the transition.

"So, this not only has benefits for people that need the aged care, there are also mental health benefits as well."

Providing an additional 120 places, Opal Aged Care's site will be in close proximity to the Halls Head Quays residential community and Halls Head Shopping Centre.

When complete the site will cater for a combination of single rooms and companion rooms, all with ensuites.

This "state-of-the-art" home will meet the needs of those requiring high care and dementia specific care, and feature generous communal spaces including a café, hairdresser, consulting suite, dining, lounge and audio rooms.

There will be an 18-place dementia specific care area with a supportive lifestyle program.

The 20 places will be prioritised for people with limited financial means.

Opal Halls Head will also offer 2190 respite days annually to support older members of the community who live in proximity to the home.

Signature Care's plan to build Mandurah Aged Care at 33 Bailey Boulevard, Dawesville.

The facility that will boast 144 homes, which will be configured as single rooms divided into two wings of 36 places and four dementia-specific units of 18 beds each.

The home will offer accommodation and services catering for all needs, including dementia specific services, respite services and accommodation, and specific services for all special needs groups.

It will also include dedicated places for financially disadvantaged residents.

Each room will have its own ensuite and an external patio area, with some rooms with connecting doors to cater for couples.

The home will have large dining rooms, lounge rooms, and dayrooms and other recreational areas throughout the home including a community hub and café.

There will be a wellness centre, a chapel, meeting rooms, formal dining rooms, hairdresser, doctors consulting room, activity rooms, men's shed, cooking display, craft rooms and also internet and library areas.

External areas will be landscaped, have covered passive and entertaining areas and will be secure.