Construction of 13 new independent living units at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House are starting to shape with framing complete and brickwork well underway.
The stage three expansion will double capacity for patients and their families seeking accommodation whilst receiving treatment at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester described Gippsland Rotary Centenery House as a home away from home, providing accommodation and support for local families during a difficult time.
Mr Chester secured $900,000 in Federal Government funding for the extension and said it was a wonderful demonstration of the community working together to deliver for Gippsland.
“This expansion is required to meet current and future demands. Gippsland Rotary Centenary House will soon be able to accommodate double the number of families,” Mr Chester said.
“I am a long-time supporter of Gippsland Rotary Centenary House and am so proud of this facility. While much of the work falls onto Latrobe Valley volunteers, the house provides most support to people from outside of the region who must travel to the Latrobe Valley for their treatment.
“I know it is particularly popular with people from across East Gippsland and South Gippsland who have the furthest to travel. There are also many patients from Wellington Shire who make use of the facility when they have consecutive days of treatment next door at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
“The House provides more than just accommodation: it also allows patients and their families to support one another through the journey.”
Mr Chester said local builder Kingbuilt had been employed to undertake the works and commended Rotary Centenary House management for putting locals first.
“I’m always pleased to local builders engaged for these projects so that the community can receive the added benefit of supporting local jobs during the construction phase,” Mr Chester said.
Works are expected to be completed by June.
The Federal Government funding for Gippsland Rotary Centenary House is part of the $20 million Regional Jobs and Investment Package (RJIP) to create local jobs and stimulate business investment. Other projects to receive Federal Government funding include the Morwell netball and cricket pavilion ($1.6 million) Morwell Recreation Reserve netball courts ($1.1 million), Latrobe Creative Precinct in Traralgon ($10 million), Churchill dental prosthetics laboratory clinic ($2.66 million), Morwell CBD revitalisation project ($1.75 million), and Traralgon-Morwell Shared Pathway ($1.6 million).
