St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer joined Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan for the announcement of funding for the construction of a Memory Support Village at the Parish’s Emmaus site on Colonel Barney Drive, Port Macquarie.

St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle, which is the aged care service provider of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, was the successful applicant of $6.5 million under the Building Better Regions Fund.

“I’m extremely pleased to secure the funding for this ground-breaking facility. When I first saw the plans it was incredibly inspiring,” Mr Conaghan said.

“The team at St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle has undertaken extensive research into the latest gold-standard practices for caring for those living with Dementia developed in the Netherlands and will be bringing that to Australia.”

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer welcomed the announcement and the support of the project offered by the Federal Member for Cowper.

“On behalf of our Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley and St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle General Manager Bronwyn Chalker, I welcome the funding provided by the Federal Government and am delighted to be able to officially announce the grant,” Mr Spencer said.

“Mr Conaghan has always been extremely supportive of this project and is as passionate as we are about its intended outcome, which will make such a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia and their families, as well as giving the local economy a boost in terms of job creation.”

“The funding will ensure that Port Macquarie will become a lighthouse for dementia care in Australia.”

Mr Spencer said the Memory Support Village responds directly to the ageing and dementia needs of our region.

“Port Macquarie has an increasing aged population and the third highest prevalence rate of dementia in NSW. As the longest-serving and largest provider of aged care in the region, this project is the next level in responding to this growing demand and providing an innovative model of care that is specific to the needs of residents with dementia,” Mr Spencer said.

“The purpose-built village environment will maintain everyday living experiences combined with a person-centred approach to care ensuring residents and their families are at the centre of the decisions that affect them.”

“The Memory Support Village is the first of its kind on the NSW Mid North Coast and in regional NSW and will accommodate 93 residents in 12 homes set within a village-style environment. The Village has been designed with resident wellbeing in mind, providing an environment which offers engagement, social interaction, and time outdoors designed to improve the quality of life of residents.”

Mr Spencer said the project will also mean more jobs for the region in the constructive phase and once the project becomes operational.

“Once the project becomes fully operational, we expect it will employee 59 equivalent full-time jobs and deliver approximately 100 jobs throughout the construction phase,” he said.

Mr Spencer said construction on the project is due to start in January 2022 and will be completed by June 2023.

On site where the Memory Support Village will be built: Pat Conaghan, Federal Member for Cowper (2nd from left) flanked by representatives of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish – to the left Adam Spencer (CEO), right Bronwyn Chalker (General Manager St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle) and far right, Fr Paul Gooley (Parish Priest).