NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE OPENS IN TRARALGON
April 16, 2010
A new community centre has been officially opened in Traralgon by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, catering for local retirees.
The community centre has been built as part of the Dalkeith Heights Retirement Village, which is the first of its kind in Gippsland.
Mr Chester said Dalkeith Heights offered independent living to retirees in their own home with the support of like-minded neighbours and easy access to social activities and services such as health care, chemists and hairdressing.
“Dalkeith Heights is a new way of retiring,” Mr Chester said.
“Retirees can purchase their own home and have their own privacy, while having easy access to a friendship group, social activities and health services.
“Importantly, the Dalkeith Heights development has been built adjacent to the Dalkeith Hostel aged care home – so if it is necessary for one partner to move into a higher level of care, the other can live independently in the village next door, making it easier to still spend time together.”
Mr Chester said the first 25 units of Dalkeith Heights had been completed and were all occupied.
The second stage of building another 21 units has just commenced.
“In all there will be 154 units when completed,” Mr Chester said.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate Lyn Vella, CEO, and the board of Dalkeith for their vision to provide something new to the Latrobe Valley community
“This development is the first-of-its kind for this region and the opening today of the new community centre is a further step toward providing all the services and support to maximise retirement years.”
Mr Chester said he would continue to support investment in new aged care opportunities across the Latrobe Valley.
“Dalkeith Hostel has recently submitted an application for an additional 40 high care beds to provide further support to those who need to move out of their own home, and I will make sure the Minister is aware this development has my full support,” Mr Chester said.
