If the development application is approved, the boarding house will make use of the old Southern Cross Aged Care building located at 82 Regent St, Moama.
The aged care facility closed down in 2023 following staffing challenges and has remained vacant since.
Two years on, Southern Cross Care (NSW and ACT) has proposed to turn the building into a boarding house, which will be leased to tenants as an affordable housing option.
A Southern Cross Care (NSW and ACT) spokesperson said they were excited about the development.
“We are excited to be able to repurpose this facility so that it can serve the community in a sustainable way through much-needed affordable housing,” they said.
“Our affordable housing model for Moama aims to help ease local housing shortages and affordability pressures, while meeting the growing need for assisted living among an ageing population.
“Southern Cross Care (NSW and ACT) has been working closely with Murray River Council throughout the development process, and we will continue to engage with the community as this exciting Moama project progresses.”
The boarding house would consist of two separate houses, with House A to accommodate up to 30 residents and House B to accommodate 25 residents.
While the existing infrastructure will be used, there would be minor adjustments made to the rooms, such as new paint and carpet.
Residents rooms will have a minimum living area of 12 sq m and an attached bathroom ensuite with a sink and bar fridge.
All other necessary appliances and equipment will be provided in the common spaces.
Both houses would feature living areas, dining areas, kitchens, courtyards adjacent to rooms and outdoor communal spaces.
Residents will also be able to use the existing chapel, which has been maintained from when it was an aged care facility.
The boarding house would cater to independent residents who do not require specific care or nursing requirements.
Both houses will be looked after by administration staff, maintenance staff and a caretaker, with three to five staff members to be on premises at all times.
There would also be an extension made to the car parking area out the front of the building to make room for five new parking spaces, bringing the total number of parking spaces to 31.
The proposed cost of all the refurbishments is valued at $1,590,081.
On Thursday, June 5, a post about the potential boarding house emerged on the Echuca Moama Community Page on Facebook, which received more than 122 comments and had many divided about whether the development would be positive.
A few commenters were concerned about the lack of services to accommodate the new boarders and others were worried about the backgrounds of the 55 new neighbours.
A concerned resident told The Riv they were worried about the lack of information and notice given to residents in the neighbourhood where the facility would be.
“The main concern was 55 new neighbours and what sort of people they are,” they said.
“It’s all the unknowns — they haven’t given us much information other than there (will be) seniors and displaced people. Well, what do you classify as displaced people?
“The other concern was that... we should have all be informed, not just us — the whole neighbourhood.
“There’s two sides to it, I realise that because housing is in short supply, but it just seems like an awful lot of people to come into one area.”
Murray River Council declined to make a comment about the development.
The development application for the proposed building was submitted by Southern Cross Care in March and is currently under review by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Environment.
The local community is invited to view the development application online and share their thoughts by making a submission.
The exhibition period began on Tuesday, May 27 and will conclude on Tuesday, June 24.
To view the plans for the proposed boarding house and to make a submission, visit https://tinyurl.com/yx23ykfe
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