Albury-Wodonga’s ‘Hilltop’ Patient and Carer Accommodation Centre has been awarded $1.9m in new Commonwealth funding to expand its vital service by more than one third.
Announcing the Building Better Regions grant on site today, local MP Sussan Ley said for over five years the Fight Cancer Foundation’s accommodation centre at Albury has delivered high quality, affordable accommodation within the precinct of the city’s hospital and new Regional Cancer Centre.
“The demand on Hilltop is growing fast, so the need is now to build extra space during the centre’s peak treatment and rehabilitation periods – this Stage 2 construction will add another ten guest rooms and associated facilities, increasing capacity by 3,650 guest nights each year.
“Equally important under this regional development program, it will create new and ongoing jobs, as well as ensuring the border continues to be a centre of excellence for health care delivery to our region.”
Managing Director of Fight Cancer Foundation, Eric Wright, said approval of the grant is wonderful news for Albury-Wodonga, surrounding communities and towns which access the Cancer Centre.
“Hilltop offers first class, cost effective accommodation to cancer patients and their carers when they need it most, and the expansion will ensure we are able to meet increasing demand for our services.”
“We are very grateful to the Commonwealth Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and Sussan Ley for their support of the work we do for the people of the Albury- Wodonga region.”
Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie says by investing in rural health infrastructure, we are ensuring our regions have access to high quality health services that people in regional Australia deserve.
“The expansion of the Hilltop facility will mean more local residents and their families from Albury-Wodonga and the wider region will be able use these vital services when fighting their battle against cancer.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Liberal/Nationals Government is committed to ensuring Australia’s regions remain strong, resilient and prosperous in the long term.
“We are supporting our regions through investing in important local infrastructure, as well as great community-building and planning initiatives under the Building Better Regions Fund and other Government priorities such as the Regional Growth Fund and our decentralisation agenda.”
Fast Facts
- The Commonwealth is allocating $1.9m towards the $3.8m project (Hilltop Stage 2 expansion)
- Local contractors and suppliers will be utilised, creating 44 extra jobs during construction
& three extra full time staff on completion - The Hilltops Stage 2 project development is among $7m in new funding for Farrer from the third round of the Building Better Regions Fund, helping create $30m in new infrastructure and community projects
- The latest funding to Hilltop and this round of the BBRF will take the total amount of Commonwealth funding from regional development programs on the border region to $16m in since we were re-elected, including…
$6.9m Howlong Industrial & Export Precinct
$4m Lavington Oval redevelopment
$1.2m Alumuna Retirement Village Finley
$1m Henty and Holbrook Pools
$334k Tocumwal Airpark subdivision
$277k Walla Walla Early Childhood Hub Project (ECHP)
$40k Culcairn Early Childhood Centre Building
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