Casa Mia Site Progresses to Construction Phase

Published on 30 July 2024

Goondiwindi Regional Council confirmed at their Ordinary Meeting this month the appointment of the successful contractor for the refurbishment of the Casa Mia site in Inglewood. ICM Constructions was the successful tenderer, with no local Goondiwindi Region builders submitting.

The construction phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with applications for tenancy anticipated to open in early 2025 and will be advertised locally through the Macintyre Gazette and key local community providers like the Inglewood Community Health team. Council has developed a Tenancy Management Plan that outlines the criteria for prioritising vulnerable persons as potential tenants. This information is available on our website, tenancy management plan 2023 2027(PDF, 9MB), or by contacting our Customer Service team.

Goondiwindi Regional Council Mayor, the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, extends his heartfelt gratitude to the Inglewood Aged Care Steering Committee for their pivotal role in this journey, which commenced approximately three years ago. “Their commitment initially was to either persuade the Churches of Christ to reconsider their withdrawal from the Casa Mia site or to attract another aged care operator into the facility,” he said.

“Throughout this process, it became clear to the Committee that the funding model and regulatory demands of the aged care industry were not viable for this site. In addition, the community is fortunate that the Inglewood Hospital now has beds for high-care long-term patients, providing a much-needed local solution for this type of care, something that wasn’t available when Casa Mia was first established.

“Running an aged care facility should never be seen as part of Council's core business,” said the Mayor.

“Once aged care was removed as a viable option, there was a consideration that Council may play a more hands-on role in the solution.

“The Steering Committee provided valuable input into the process, and a design was developed for five independent living units. These units are designed to provide a comfortable and safe living environment, with four 2-bedroom self-contained units and one 1-bedroom self-contained unit to be created as part of the refurbishment. The units will suit downsizing local seniors who don't require live-in care, and want to remain in the local Inglewood community,” he said.

Council has worked with the Queensland government to secure significant external funding for this project through the Queensland Housing Investment Fund. The collaboration between local and state government has resulted in Council's strategic acquisition of the entire land and building parcel as freehold at a nominal cost. The refurbishment itself will cost $2.26 million, the Queensland government has committed $1.5 million, and Council will contribute the remaining funds.

The Mayor stated, "This project is a very big investment for Council in an area that is non-core business, but Council's decision to pursue this solution was based on Council's ability to recover costs to limit the burden on ratepayers. The entire footprint of the land we have secured is 2.237 ha, which provides the opportunity for Council to explore additional income options to recoup the costs.

“I thank all the Steering Committee and community members involved over the three years; your passion, efforts and patience have contributed enormously to the project's success. I look forward to showcasing the refurbished Casa Mia to locals soon," said the Mayor.