Nursing home push gears up

PALMWOODS Sundale has won overwhelming support from the local community in its push to establish a 40 bed nursing home in Palmwoods.

Almost 60 people turned up at a public meeting in the Palmwoods Memorial Hall last month to register their support for the nursing home project.

Sundale General Manager Glenn Bunney said a steering committee had been established and was now working on formulating plans and initiating a sustained letter writing campaign to Federal Member Alex Somlyay.

"We are encouraging people to write and express their views, and we will also be letting other elected members know how we feel about the necessity of a nursing home for the area," he said.

"We also have a number of petitions for people to sign to show their support for the project."

Mr Bunney said there was a desperate need for a new nursing home on the Sunshine Coast with more than 140 nursing home approved people on waiting lists.

"A nursing home is a necessity for our area, not a luxury," he said. "It is estimated that a nursing home of between 40 and 60 beds is required in Palmwoods."

Mr Bunney said the Palmwoods Village was planning an open day on September 27, to show the public the high standard of the existing facilities and the high quality of work being done.

"The open day is designed to be a fun day for the community, as well as providing information about the existing facilities," he said.

Sundale Board member and local councillor Geoff Littler who was part of the team which helped establish Palmwoods Sundale, said he had always considered the village incomplete until a nursing home facility was established.

"It has been my vision from the beginning to see a nursing home at Palmwoods Sundale and I am very pleased that the people of Palmwoods have rallied in support of the call," he said.