Building on community needs

A $43.5 million project with 90 aged-care beds and 52 rental houses has been launched at Norlane.
The Norlane Integrated Community Hub Project also includes a community hub and wellbeing centre with a café, a library, a men’s shed, a playground and a gym.
The facilities would provide Norlane residents with a “vibrant community space” while also generating jobs, said Baptcare chief executive Graham Dangerfield.
The project would create work for 50 in construction and 100 ongoing jobs, he said.
“The Norlane development is about responding to the community’s need for affordable housing, social housing, aged care and employment generation.
“Baptcare wants to make sure that the most vulnerable in the community are not left behind and have access to the care and services that they desperately need.”
Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the project would deliver a range of services to the local community.
“The project will deliver 90 residential aged care beds and 52 affordable rental houses accommodating up to 91 people, including purpose built housing for people with disabilities,” Ms Henderson said.
“We want to expand the quality of affordable housing rental options for families, older people and people with disabilities.
“This project already builds on $1 million for Diversitat’s Healthy Living Centre for Ageing in Norlane and $225,000 to upgrade refuelling facilities at Lethbridge Airport already announced under the National Stronger Regions Fund.”
Federal Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash said the Australian Government would invest $7.25 million in the Norlane project.
“The National Stronger Regions Fund is providing up to $1 billion over five years to promote economic development in Australia’s regions,” Ms Nash said.
“The Australian Government is committed to funding priority infrastructure projects in local communities across Australia.”
Baptcare will contribute $36.26 million toward the project which it expects to be completed in the middle of 2019.