STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (16:20): Last week I was delighted to officially open the renovations at the beautiful Banksia Village aged care community in Broulee. This important project was carried out thanks to a $3.8 million grant from the Albanese Labor government and includes two residential buildings. Each building has 11 rooms and was designed using the small house model of care.

Banksia is one of the first aged care facilities in the region to roll out the small house model based on recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. This model of care will result in improved health, social and wellbeing outcomes for residents. The new shared spaces include a home-style kitchen, lounge areas and dining rooms, as well as fabulous verandahs overlooking gorgeous flower and vegetable gardens.

There's also a new cafe for residents and their guests to enjoy. It was great to take a tour of Banksia Village and meet the highly trained staff and, of course, the friendly residents who just love their revamped homes. In fact, one 100-year-old resident who enjoys a latte and croissant says life at Banksia is just like living in a resort.

You've got to love that. I know how much we desperately need more aged care beds across the Gilmore region, and I will continue to support the aged care sector to deliver better quality care for our older loved ones.