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THE ALPINE
SERVING THE ALPINE SHIRE Wednesday, December 15, 2021
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FUNDING SUPPORT FOR MYSTIC PARK BRIGHT’S Mystic Mountain Bike Park has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s leading mountain bike destinations, thanks largely to the efforts of Alpine Cycling Club members over several decades. Around 50 club volunteers help maintain and build the trail network, in consult with other bodies on a not-for-profit community group which manages recreational use of the park. Club committee member Elsie Northey (right) s an integral part of that, together with fellow volunteers (from left) Campbell McConnell, Cooper Northey, Andrew McConnell, Tim Northey, Jon Presswell, Matt Moljn and Lachlan McConnell. Elsie said a $4500 Federal Government grant will help the club with its maintenance of the park. Full story page 2. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
Push for funding Federal ministers hear community case for new $26m aged care facility By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE THE ongoing pursuit of federal funding for new residential aged care facilities in Bright continued this week, with Indi independent MP Helen Haines hosting a roundtable conference with two federal ministers yesterday. Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck, and Regional Health Minister David Gillespie, met online with Dr Haines, joined by local state MPs Tim McCurdy (MLA, Ovens Valley) and Tania Maxwell (MLC,
Northern Victoria). Alpine Shire mayor Sarah Nicholas, Alpine Health chief executive officer Nick Shaw as well as local health professionals spoke to the ministers about the need for a $26 million 35 bed ‘high needs’ aged care facility. It is part of the proposed $40 million Bright Health Precinct project - which includes redeveloping the existing hospital - to accommodate the needs of the Bright community. Dr Haines said there was strong case for federal funding.
“The Federal Government is responsible for aged care and this project won’t get off the ground without support from both governments,” she said. “Bright has already experienced a private provider backing away from a commitment to provide high needs aged care to the town and the government needs to step up in this situation.” Dr Haines said this week’s meeting was about ensuring the ministers heard the voices of Alpine Health, Alpine Shire and local doctors, and that they
understand the situation. “This was about starting a collaborative process to get the best result for Bright and surrounds,” she said. Dr Haines commissioned research from the Parliamentary Library showing that the Federal Government has funded many similar projects across Australia, and she believes Bright deserves similar support. “Bright is the only town of its size in Victoria that doesn’t have a high needs aged care facility; the case for the Federal Government to invest is overwhelming”.
Bright Taxis Servicing the entire Alpine shire including Mt Hotham, Falls Creek & beyond
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The former nurse and rural health researcher said that the government’s funding commitments to date have been inadequate, with government spending on residential aged care less than 10 per cent of what the Aged Care Royal Commission recommended. “The Royal Commission called for $1 billion to be invested in residential aged care facilities every year,” she said. “The government has told me there is just $80 million a year for the next four years; I would hate to see towns like
Bright miss out because the government failed to deliver on the Royal Commission”. The masterplan for the redevelopment of Alpine Health in Bright includes an upgrade for the Bright Hospital, that would be funded by the Victorian Government. Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley, Attorney General and member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, former minister for ageing James Merlino and Treasurer Tim Pallas all declined to attend the meeting.