Melton’s Reg Geary House will close by the end of next month as concerns mount about what will happen to the aged-care building once residents leave.
As reported by the Weekly, Western Health announced in October last year that it planned to close the 30-bed aged-care centre at the end of June.
But last week, Western Health’s acting executive director of operations, Claire Culley, said it was likely that all residents will be relocated by the end of February.
The building will be handed back to owner Melton council in March.
Council’s general manager of community services, Maurie Heaney, said officers were still investigating what the building might be used for.
The matter will discussed at a council meeting on February 4.
“The council is still considering options for the use of the building, and its main priority at the moment is that it, hopefully, be utilised for alternate care options for the community,” Mr Heaney said. He said he was aware of community concerns.
A nurse who works at the aged-care centre, who did not want to be named, said she didn’t want to see the vacant building become a fire and safety hazard.
“What is going to happen to an empty building? You may end up with squatters in there and there have been problems with drug users in the area before.
“We have to walk out in pairs at night when leaving work for safety reasons, as it’s such an open area.”
Mr Heaney said the council would ensure that the building was secure and install an alarm to prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“Council will also have security patrols in place once the effective closure date has been provided by Western Health.”
