Warrigal eyes Mount Terry expansion as aged care funding opens
Warrigal eyes Mount Terry expansion as aged care funding opens
Illawarra aged care provider Warrigal is preparing to expand its Mount Terry residential aged care home as a new federal funding round opens aimed at easing hospital bed block across the region.
From Friday, aged care providers can apply for a share of $115 million through the federal government’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, which is targeting projects that can quickly deliver new residential aged care beds.
Warrigal plans to seek funding to add 22 beds at its Mount Terry facility near Albion Park.
Warrigal chief executive Jenni Hutchins said the project already had development approval, meaning it could be delivered relatively quickly if funding is secured.
“We’ve got a DA-approved, ready-to-go 22 beds at Mount Terry that we can build into that home,” she said.
The expansion comes as hospitals across the Illawarra deal with a growing number of patients who are medically ready to leave but remain waiting for aged care placements.
Latest Bureau of Health Information data shows 135 patients in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District were waiting for Commonwealth-funded aged care or NDIS placements at the end of 2025.
Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes said the Illawarra had been identified as a priority area for new aged care beds.
“I know the significant impact the critical shortage of aged care beds is having on bed block in the Illawarra,” she said.
“That’s why I have been working closely with the Minister for Aged Care to secure a targeted solution for our region.”
Warrigal is also planning a longer-term development on Byamee Street in Dapto, where the organisation is exploring a new model that combines independent living with aged care.
Hutchins said the project was still in the design stage and would not be ready for the current funding round.
The aim is to create a community where residents can move in while still living independently and remain there as their care needs increase, including transitioning into residential aged care without relocating.
Providers have six weeks from Friday, March 13, to submit expressions of interest.
Illawarra innovation showcased in Canberra
Illawarra businesses and researchers took their message to Parliament House in Canberra this week, showcasing the region’s role in emerging energy and advanced manufacturing industries.
More than 20 companies and organisations joined the University of Wollongong at the Made in the Illawarra: Innovation, Energy and Manufacturing Expo, aimed at connecting local innovators with federal ministers, MPs and national industry leaders.
The event highlighted technologies being developed in the region, including advanced manufacturing processes, renewable energy systems, green hydrogen and next-generation batteries.
Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes, who hosted the expo, said the Illawarra was increasingly positioned as a centre for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
“The Illawarra helped build modern Australia, and today it is helping lead a Future Made in Australia – driving clean energy, advanced manufacturing and secure jobs for the nation’s future,” she said.
University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Professor G.Q. Max Lu said bringing Illawarra companies and researchers to Canberra helped put the region directly in front of national policymakers and funding decision-makers.
A full list of organisations that attended the visit:
Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS)
Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM)
Australian Power Quality Research Centre (APQRC)
ARC Energy Technologies for Future Grids
Molecular Horizons
iAccelerate
UOW Science Space
Early Start
BlueScope
Business Illawarra
Ecojoule
Electrify 2515
Endeavour Energy
FivepHusion
Green Gravity
Gridsight
Hi Neighbour
Hysata
i3net
Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation
Power Chord
Project and Portfolio Management (PPM)
RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven
Rewiring Australia
Sicona
Squadron Energy
Tiny Tins Skip Bins
Invest Wollongong
Wollongong City Council
WIN owner Bruce Gordon sells Perth development site for $48.5m
Media entrepreneur and WIN Network owner Bruce Gordon has sold a major Perth residential development site for $48.5 million, with the deal negotiated by Colliers Wollongong’s Simon Kersten.
The 12.09-hectare Dianella landholding, about 8km from the Perth CBD, was acquired by national developer Satterley.
Andrew Lancaster, CEO of WIN Network and Gay Street Property Holdings, said the sale marked the end of a long-held strategic asset.
“This site has been part of the broader media precinct for many years and we are pleased to see it transition to its next chapter under the stewardship of an experienced developer like Satterley,” Mr Lancaster said.
The Dianella site spans two parcels of land at Gay Street and Cottonwood Crescent. Cottonwood Crescent was previously purchased from Network TEN, while the Gay Street site was retained by Gordon after WIN’s sale of Nine Perth in 2013.