By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Bellarine Community Health has knocked back a community petition asking for proceeds from the sale of Ann Nichol House to be returned to the community.
“Our lawyers have determined there is no legal basis for the petition claims,” said the organisation’s chair, Hazel Ingram said.
“The petition does not recognise that a substantial amount of the sale proceeds from Ann Nichol House were a return of funds to Bellarine Community Health (BCH) for monies that we had previously poured into the facility, including a $3 million upgrade 10 years ago.”
Ms Ingram said Bellarine Community Health also had responsibility for the ongoing upkeep of the aged care facility over the past decade.
“We could not, in good governance, comply with the notion of sale proceeds of our aged care facilities being provided to benefit a single community group or individual.
“However, funds are being returned to the community in other ways.
“We have set aside $1.2 million of sale proceeds to a community grants program and we have appointed an independently selected advisory committee to govern the fund.
“It’s up to the community how those funds are distributed.”
Ms Ingram said requests to use the funds for services for the elderly were outside the Bellarine Community Health mandate to meet primary health care needs regardless of age, gender or cultural background.
“As a board we are committed to ensuring our capital assets including the proceeds from the sale of Ann Nichol House are spent on projects that will deliver a wide range of services across the entire Bellarine.”
Ms Ingram said the projects included a Point Lonsdale “flagship” community health centre.
“We have a government commitment for continued services from this facility which last year managed more than 10,000 community health client visits.
“The site is home to the Bellarine’s public dental program and is the only location big enough to house some of BCH’s larger programs such as community nursing which delivers services to the entire region.”
Bellarine Aged Care Association (BACA) circulated the petition amid a community outcry over the sale.
Association spokesperson Tim Walsh said the response from Bellarine Community Health was dismissive of community concerns.
“It totally misses point and the principle behind our petition.
“Bellarine Community Health has again distorted facts to suit their agenda,” Mr Walsh said.
“Never has BACA asked for a refund on donations. What BACA wants is the proceeds of the sale of aged care assets put back into services for this age group.
“BCH claim they spent $3 million of their own money to upgrade and extend Ann Nichol House. How much of that $3 million came from the closure and sale of Sims Lodge?
“BACA does not challenge the need for a high quality centre in Point Lonsdale.
“Our objection is that the proposed community health centre is part of a major speculative property development.
“BACA has long held the view that BCH lacks transparency, accountability and probity in their financial management and community responsiveness.”
Mr Walsh said Bellarine Community Health’s “deliberate misinterpretation and dismissal” of the petition would “only serve to further polarise this community”.
