Locals in Boddington now have seven fresh reasons luring them towards retirement in the rolling hills of the gold producing town, according to local Nationals WA MP Mia Davies.
Ms Davies attended the opening of seven new independent living units and shared common area at Hotham Rise Retirement Village this week, the second stage of a project providing living options for people over 65.
Ms Davies said the $2.8m Royalties for Regions project, which was started by The Nationals in Government, was part of a growing health and well-aged precinct.
“These new homes provide a fantastic option for seniors to stay close to family and friends with access to the hospital and health care facilities while maintaining their independence,” she said.
“The project was part of the broader Southern Inland Health Initiative, which invested more than half a billion dollars into health care, hospitals, nursing posts, telehealth and aged care.
“As someone who saw their grandparents move from a Wheatbelt town to retire and eventually access higher levels of care, it makes me happy to know residents of Boddington have local options to stay in town.”
Construction of the units and common area was completed in 12 months by Boddington-based Imagine Building, with 70 per cent of contractors used on the job from the local area.
They join four other units completed in 2013 and will eventually become part of a masterplanned well-aged precinct including a 40-home development for seniors in Hotham Rise.
Ms Davies also attended the opening of Boddington Interpretive Centre, which provides a snapshot of the town’s agriculture, industry, environment and community history.
Integrated with the town’s visitor centre, new library, café and neighbouring youth centre, the interpretive centre features video stories of local community identities as well as displays of minerals extracted from local mines.
“With a new recreation centre forming a co-located sporting precinct, a developing aged care and housing sector, new visitor amenities and range of community assets, Boddington is primed for growth,” Ms Davies said.
“I congratulate the Shire, local community and other stakeholders for the completion of these two exciting projects.
“They form part of a great development plan for the town and with planning underway for civic space embracing the Hotham River, there is more to celebrate in this thriving town.”
