Additional aged care capacity in Queenstown has been secured in a joint funding partnership with the Tasmanian Government.

An additional $3 million expansion of the West Coast District Hospital will increase the aged care bed capacity by four – bringing the total additional capacity to five - and ensuring demand in the region is met into the future.

Liberal Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the Morrison Government would commit an additional $3 million for the immediate expansion to increase aged care beds in Queenstown.

Mr Pearce said the investment would help more senior Tasmanians living on the West Coast.

“Many older Tasmanians living in regional communities like Queenstown don’t want to uproot their lives to seek the support they need in their later years,” he said.

“The additional bed capacity will make a huge difference for families living on the isolated West Coast, meaning residents can continue to live their lives in a familiar setting close to their families.

“The Federal Liberal Government is delivering record funding for aged care, and our investment will improve the lives of Tasmanians living on the West Coast.”

Minister Colbeck said the Morrison Government is resolute in supporting regional communities to access quality residential care.

“More senior Australians from Tasmania’s West Coast will be able to stay in Queenstown with their family and friends when they need access to aged care,” he said.

“This investment will bring about significant and ongoing economic stimulus to the community through jobs creation at the construction stage and then when the expanded aged care beds are operational.”

Growing a sustainable workforce is a core element of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission with $1.4 billion invested into the Aged Care Workforce Action Plan since the 2020-21 Budget.

“This three-year action plan is being implemented now and includes a range of innovative training and incentive measures that will grow, skill and enable a world class aged care workforce,” Minister Colbeck said.

The 2022–23 Budget includes an additional $522 million in aged care to further the important response to the Royal Commission, bringing the total investment to $19.1 billion.