The Touriandi Board of Management has moved closer to seeing the long awaited extension of the lodge become a reality, with the turning of the first sod on the site.
Mark Coulton, Federal Member for Parkes, presided at the ceremony, just 10 days after the contract was signed with the building contractor.
It was particularly appropriate that Councillor Coulton should be the one to wield the spade. He is currently the Parliamentary Secretary for the Shadow Minister for Ageing and when he was Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council, he provided constant encouragement and support to the Touriandi Board in the application to the Commonwealth for funding. The current Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council, Cr Peter Caskey, has also continued to support the developments at Touriandi.
Commenting after the ceremony, Board President, Kevin Hansen said “This project will cost $2.3 million of which the Commonwealth has promised to provide $1.35 million.
The Board is indebted to the Gwydir Shire Council for the commitment to undertake the site preparation and work in the car park,” he said. Shire staff commenced work on the site this week. “We expect the project to be completed before Christmas,” Mr Hansen added.
When the extension is completed, the local community will have access to 10 additional Aged Care beds. This will make it possible for more people in need of care to remain in the Bingara community.
“We have arranged to have special coloured floor plans of the project placed on display at the Bingara Office of the Gwydir Shire Council as well as at Touriandi Lodge.
We encourage members of the public to study the plans which show the location of the extension, as well as the sections of the Lodge which will be renovated or enlarged,” Mr Hansen said.
Kevin Hansen, President of the Touriandi Board of Management; Peter Caskey, Gwydir Shire Council Mayor; Tonille Reading, Care Manager of Touriandi Lodge; Mark Coulton, Member for Parkes; and David Young, Touriandi Board Member.
Compliments of The Bingara Advocate
