Dunsborough’s first fully integrated aged care facility has been officially opened by Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino MP.

The $37.5 million facility, comprising an 80-bed residential care facility and 21 two-bedroom, two-bathroom independent living apartments, was driven by community demand and its central location and appealing design have helped create an extremely successful and in-demand development.

Capecare Dunsborough also features dementia-enabling design, a new headquarters for the Dunsborough branch of the CWA, allied health facilities, landscaped gardens, BBQ and café area, and cinema room.

In her speech at the official opening, Mrs Marino said the Federal Government’s $7.1million contribution to the project was part of the Building Better Regions Fund.

“This Federal Government investment in Dunsborough is about delivering locally to improve the lives of residents aging in their community while creating local jobs and contributing to the local South West economy.”

Mrs Marino officially cut a ribbon to open the premises along with South West Development Commission Chair Nick Belyea representing the State Government Regional Aged Accommodation Program, CWA Dunsborough President Leslie Sproule, outgoing Chair Nadine Carter and Capecare Senior Carer Jess Lehane.

Board Member for 39 years and long-time project advocate John Reid cut a cake to mark Capecare’s 60^th year, with Capecare Dunsborough’s Residential Care Facility resident John Bresland and Acting CEO Philippa Ayre.

Capecare outgoing Chair Nadine Carter said the official opening was a hugely significant milestone for the regional not for profit organisation.

“It has been a long-held vision to be able to deliver this much needed aged care infrastructure and services, to the Dunsborough community and the wider South West.

“The development of this magnificent facility sets a new benchmark for residential care and retirement living in the region and state. This integrated complex enables people to live connected and enriched lives as they age as valued members of the Cape’s community. It has also brought significant social and economic benefits to the City of Busselton and the South West.

“This would have not been possible without the initial vision of Naturaliste Care Services who tirelessly communicated the need for such a facility in this growing community, the CWA who donated a portion of land to allow this development to happen to its existing scale, the State Government that contributed $2.5 million through its Regional Aged Accommodation Program and the Federal Government through its Building Better Regions Fund.

“We have now welcomed in our first wing of clients to the Residential Care Facility, and have leased 20 of 21 apartments. All new clients to the complex have a strong connection to Dunsborough and Yallingup, either as residents themselves or with family members who live here.

“Capecare is fortunate to have such a dedicated team of local personnel now managing the facility and enjoying the flexibility of working across both our Busselton and Dunsborough sites.

“Our vision for Capecare Dunsborough was ‘living well through excellent design’ – to construct a superbly designed building based on clearly defined dementia enabling principles.

“There has been much time taken in best practice research, planning and development of the project to make Capecare Dunsborough extraordinary.

“Along with the seamless blend of the complex into the natural bushland and surrounding residences, Capecare Dunsborough has been designed on a small home model to be welcoming and extremely comfortable for all residents. With intuitive technology, dementia enabling design features and décor, including memory boxes, use of colour, tailored furnishings and fittings, wayfinding with rest stops – this truly is best practice. Nursing and care staff have all been involved in the design process. The use of natural light throughout the complex is a standout feature,” Ms Carter said.

The facility will employ approximately 60 people full time once all four residential wings are fully operational, and employed approximately 530 people during construction.

Capecare Dunsborough was designed by Gary Batt & Associates Architects in consultation with dementia design specialists de Fiddes Design and was built by Perkins Builders.

Art is a prominent feature of Capecare Dunsborough with huge exterior murals by renowned Perth mural artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers, stunning stained-glass windows by Perth Art Glass featuring local flora and fauna, and a local art acquisition project with Arts Margaret River which has seen 24 works by local artists purchased and displayed around the facility.