CONSTRUCTION on the $2million, stage two redevelopment of the old Laura Johnson Home, will draw better staff and improve its services.
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The first stage was the refurbishment of one of the home’s high care wings into its op shop with access into a new shop in Clarke St. Proceeds of the op shop, which has operated at various sites in Mount Isa for many years, go to the operation and improvement of the home’s services.
Stage two, which began this week, involves the refurbishment of 34 low-care rooms to create 12 new one- and two- and three-bedroom apartments for affordable accommodation for the home’s staff.
Vice president of Mount Isa Memorial Garden Settlement for Aged, which administers the home, Duncan Cunningham said the redevelopment enhances the 75-bed Laura Johnson home, which last year opened a new $18.5 million aged-care facility in Clarke St adjacent to the old facility.
The redevelopment is part of the long-term strategy to help attract and keep high-quality staff in the health and aged care sphere, Mr Cunningham said, by providing affordable rents.
The income generated from the apartments will add to the home’s sustainability and cushion it amid uncertainty of funding.
Other Mount Isa not-for-profit may benefit from surplus apartments, which is being partly sponsored by Glencore.
Construction of the apartments, which will be overseen by Trevor Morris Builders, will take nine months, employ about 40 people, and 14 Mount Isa subcontractors.
The home, which provides nursing home, hostel and respite care services, is named after a Mount Isa pensioner who in 1970s began fundraising for an aged care facility when there were few facilities for North West seniors, particularly war veterans.
Mrs Johnson, who passed away in 1997, was fundamental to getting mine workers and the mining company to donate to the home, which opened in 1975.
