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New $48 million development officially opened

Bolton Clarke’s new $48 million Fernhill aged care community – stage one of a 10-year redevelopment in King St, Caboolture - has been officially opened.

Residents, staff and invited guests were at the state-of-the-art complex as Federal Member for Longman Terry Young made the announcement on May 20.

The new Fernhill community is on the same site where the original RSL care home first opened more than 70 years ago.

Neighbourhoods

Co-designed by residents, the building will eventually be home to more than 160 people living in ‘neighbourhoods’ with specialist dementia support, a seniors-friendly gym, health services, a café and common areas.

“This isn’t just somewhere to live, but a home where residents can feel safe, secure and comfortable,” said Terry Young.

“I was particularly hearted by the level of involvement residents had in designing it. It is the kind of innovative thinking we want to foster.”

Picture gallery

Federal Member for Longman Terry Young at the official opening
The new Bolton Clarke Fernhill aged care community in Caboolture
Fernhill's landscaped gardens
Inside Fernhill at Caboolture
Resident Betty Poynter in a room with a view
The new Fernhill at Caboolture
Views over Caboolture
Fernhill finished Residential Manager Ram Korla with resident Betty Poynter
Fernhill key handover Fernhill Residential Manager Ram Korla taking delivery of the state of the art building from Hansen Yuncken Senior Project Engineer Terry Welch
Link to the past ... the entrance to Fernhill
How the former Fernhill aged care facility looked
Bolton Clarke Fernhill before the redevelopment
Fernhill before the redevelopment
From left Juliana Newman Betty Poynter and Yvonne Bliss at new Fernhill aged care Caboolture

Great example

Bolton Clarke Chairman Pat McIntosh said the redevelopment was “a great example of the future of best practice in aged care”.

“Fernhill holds unique place in Bolton Clarke’s history and represents a proud legacy of representing 71 years this month since the arrival of the first veteran residents,” he said.

“The new Fernhill building is the culmination of five-years work, co-designing with residents, their families and the local community, supported by QUT to understand the preferences in local needs.

“This is the first time we have done this and it will not be the last. This will become the norm for us when redeveloping these sorts of facilities.”

Guests touring Fernhill after the official opening.

Living lab

Mr McIntosh said it was designed to support residential aged care residents, home care, day therapy clients and retirement living residents.

He said it was also “one of only two Australian Government funded living labs in Queensland, testing early commercial technology to enhance energy efficiency and renewable solutions”.

For further information visit newfernhill.com.au

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