2031 the area within West, North, Quarry and Cambridge Streets, Rockhampton is zoned a health precinct, anchored by the 2 hospitals, 2 nursing homes, a range of low maintenance independent living facilities and health care professionals that are able to share (not necessarily duplicate) resources. The decision to develop the precinct was made in 2014 from extensive community consultation on the future of age care. It was recognised that by 2031 there would be approximately 4000 more people over the age of 75 living in Rockhampton. The distancing of both federal and state government from costly service delivery meant that local community not for profit organisations were to be the ones largely responsible for providing suitable care as the low financial return discouraged private investment in the industry. Highlighted by no providers offering to take up the additional 100 beds the federal government made available under their caped scheme in 2013. From the community consultations Council pro-actively rezoned land and provided incentives within the precinct to encourage the development of low maintenance, suitably appointed independent living accommodation for the less mobile segment of the population and the establishment of health professional practices.
Yes just another aspiration, which I often get from talking to others, that I believe needs consideration. Rockhampton, like the rest of Australia, has an ageing population. The cost to provide suitable care under existing models will be unaffordable. Community not for profit organisations will be expected to do more than their fair share for little financial return if we are to maintain high quality care. Benevolent Age Care I understand has investigated the viability to buy the adjoining Voss Park to build low maintenance accommodation for mainly couples whose home has become too difficult to maintain. The location and ability to easily access Benevolent’s existing resources appears to make good sense. However the Council, the trustee of the park, (who only months ago where concerned about the high cost to maintain the regions many parks) I believe doesn’t agree. Age care is only going to become a bigger more expensive issue. We as a community need to act now on how we as a community are going to effectively deal with around 18% of our population being over 65 years of age in 17 years time.