THE provision of aged care facilities for Barellan is a step closer after a development application was lodged this week to construct stage one of a six-unit project.
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Developed by the Barellan Aged Care Support Group, the project aims to provide an independent living facility, with stage one being the construction of the first unit.
A development application was lodged with Narrandera Shire Council for construction of the unit on a block of land next to Barellan community health in Bendee Street.
The support group has not only driven the project, but also the fund-raising to get it off the ground.
Secretary Sandra Vicary said the project had taken three years to reach this point, but there would still be a wait for final approval from the Department of Lands.
"I thought it would take a lot longer," Mrs Vicary said. "We hope to call for tenders for the first one in 2014.
"We have been busy raising money. We are getting very close to calling tenders. I think (stage one) will cost somewhere between $160,000 and $190,000."
The support group originally formed with the aim of building an aged-care hostel.
In 2009 a public meeting was held to discuss the hostel project, which would be an outreach of Teloca House in Narrandera.
However, consultants advised it would not be viable. "The decision was made to look at building aged-care units," Mrs Vicary said.
"The group formed at the end of 2009 and started in February 10 on our first fund-raising event with the swap meet at Barellan. We have been fund-raising since.
"We have not been successful with grants, but we hope to be in the future."
Current funds also include a substantial donation by a Barellan family, while former district nurse Margaret Quade left money for the development of a project along these lines in Barellan, which will be added to the funds at some point. Mrs Vicary said a number of plans had been drawn up by a Wagga architect who had donated his time and expertise to help.
"We have had a plan around for people to see," she said.
"We had a big meeting here at community health to nut it out.
"He has helped us with the development application and other people have assisted as well, that has been gratis to us. That expert and professional help is something you don't get without paying for."
