THE construction of a second Ryder Cheshire home in Mount Gambier is expected to begin within three months following a $530,000 Federal Government contribution.
The home will provide permanent accommodation and 24-hour care for five adults with disabilities, doubling the size and capacity of Ryder Cheshire Mount Gambier and reducing a wait list of local people with disabilities seeking a permanent family home.
The new facility will create 17 ongoing jobs and 14 jobs during construction.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin yesterday announced the federal funding windfall.
He praised the organisation for submitting a second application to the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) following an unsuccessful application last year.
“This $530,000 will contribute towards an overall build of $1.1m,” Mr Pasin said.
“The application is a credit to the organisation – it is an incredibly competitive process.
“800 applications were submitted for this fund and some 700 organisations will be disappointed – to be one in around eight successful applicants is a tremendous outcome.”
Mr Pasin said the BBRF delivered funding to enhance regional economic growth.
“The fund supports important projects nominated by local communities, which means regions are investing in their own future,” Mr Pasin said.
“So far Mount Gambier has done pretty well out of this round between Ryder Cheshire and the racing club.
“What’s most exciting about Ryder Cheshire is that I’ve been to most service club handovers recently and most clubs are focused on helping to build the facility.”
Ryder Cheshire Mount Gambier Home president Neville Gilbertson said the project would be “going out to tender within a week.”
“In about a week we will submit the design to city council and concurrently we will go out to tender,” Mr Gilbertson said.
“We wish to thank Tony for his encouragement in persisting with this second application and I also want to commend Jerry Leech for the enormous amount of work he did to get this plan to a point where it was competitive on a national basis.
“Construction could start within three months.”
