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Feros Village Byron Bay Update
The Feros Care Board has made the difficult decision to close and redevelop Feros Village Byron Bay.
We understand any sadness or distress the residents feel in having to move to a new home, along with the sense of loss felt in the wider community.
Redevelopment is our best option to remain in the community for seniors in a new way. Feros Village Byron Bay was designed and built as a low-care hostel 33 years ago. It simply cannot meet modern obligations and requirements of residential aged care.
We care deeply about our residents and are working with them to ensure they find new homes of their choice.
True to our founder, George Feros, we have always been a visionary organisation. We look forward to working with the local community in co-design to meet the needs of Byron Bay’s seniors on the same site in a new and innovative way.
For the latest news and updates, click here.
For our media releases, click here.
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For all media enquiries please contact:
Luke Roberts
Cape Public Relations Pty Ltd
Ph: 1300 659 617
M: 0422 855 930
www.capepublicrelations.com
If you are a resident or family member of Feros Care Bangalow or Wommin Bay and have questions or concerns please reach out to your respective village Care Manager.
Latest news and updates
31.03.2023
We continue to assist families as they make their decisions on which new home they will move to. Most are moving within the region and some are choosing to move outside of the region to be closer to families or due to other personal circumstances. We
are assisting in these moves by providing packing and removal services if the resident and family requires this extra help. Other supports we have provided and continue to provide include:
- Residents and family access to the Feros Care Access EAP membership which provides free phone-based professional counselling services.
- An onsite counsellor if residents prefer to speak to a counsellor face to face.
- An onsite GP for any wellbeing concerns
- Information on how to access The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission for feedback or complaints
- Information on how to access Older Persons Advocacy Network [OPAN] is available
- Information on how to access Senior Rights Services
- A professional placement service for out of region move logistics
As at the end of March almost half of our residents have moved to their new home and a large amount have provided us with their preferences.
10.03.2023
We understand that there is a rally planned in Byron Bay this weekend, with the community gathering to protest the closure and redevelopment of Feros Village Byron Bay into a new concept of seniors housing.
As the facility cannot meet modern obligations and requirements of residential aged care, redevelopment of this facility is our best option to remain in the community for seniors in a new way.
We care deeply about our 36 Byron Bay residents and understand this was their home. This was a very difficult decision. However, as we have previously shared, no resident will be left unsupported, or with nowhere to go.
09.03.2023
Eight of our Feros Village Byron Bay residents have either already moved or are planning to move to their new homes next week. Those moving to our villages will be welcomed with afternoon tea and flower arrangements, as well as some other surprises we have planned for them.
Questions and answers
Why is Feros Care Byron Bay closing?
We are closing Feros Village Byron Bay because the building was designed and built as a low care hostel 33 years ago. It can no longer meet modern obligations and requirements of a residential aged care facility. Unfortunately, it simply cannot continue in its current form.
How long do residents have before the home is closed?
Every resident has been given ample time and full support to find their next home, and we understand that this may take months. No date has been set for the closure. No resident will be forced into homelessness or left unsupported.
Where will residents be moving to?
We are assisting residents with alternative places in our Feros Care residential villages in Bangalow and preferencing them for Wommin Bay, Kingscliff. Other residential aged care providers in the area have also offered places in their homes. Feros Care is actively supporting each resident to transition to their new home, as we understand a move like this can be daunting.
Is Feros Care developing the site to make money?
Feros Care is a not-for-profit charity. The decision to close was not made so that we could develop or sell the site for commercial gain or property development. The land actually belongs to the Crown and Feros Care has neither the right, nor the intent to do anything other than operate a great community facility for seniors there.
What will happen to the site?
The redevelopment of the site will be primarily focused on accommodation for seniors. We want to explore national and international models that are realising great benefits for seniors living in the community in a new way. This is also in keeping with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Our ambition is to develop the site using a co-design approach in consultation with the community; like all developments, this takes time, and we are only in the very early stages of understanding what might be possible on this site.
What has happened to Feros Care team members?
We are doing everything we can to retain capable talent within the aged care industry, where workforce shortages are widely known. All team members have been offered ongoing employment with Feros Care, and no person is losing their job as a consequence of this closure.
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