BY JEM ANSHAW
Emotions are high in Merriwa following the announcement that Upper Hunter Shire Council are looking at options for what the future of Gummun Place Aged Care Hostel will be.
It came as a shock to residents according to Liz Griffiths, Merriwa Progress Association secretary, as there was no community consultation about the decision prior to it appearing in the business paper for the October council meeting.
“It’s almost unconscionable that the council would go to an expression of interest without a town meeting in this community, given how heavily invested the people of this district are, and there have been rumors flying around about what was happening with Gummun Place because it’s a small town, people talk, and there was no real clarity of information from the council,” Liz said.
“I think the council probably has not explored all the options, that is one thing that worries me, and if they had come to the town, come to this district, and asked the people they may have had better options on the table before deciding to go to an expression of interest.”
On Wednesday, October 30, Upper Hunter Shire Council released the outcome of items that were discussed during closed council on their October 28 meeting.
The resolution they voted in was ‘In light of the changed circumstances and inadequate government funding and increasingly complex regulatory framework, Council call for expressions of interest (EOI) from approved aged care providers to take on either the management, lease or purchase of Gummun Place Hostel.’
When this news broke the Merriwa community was outraged and Merriwa Progress Association organised an information session for the evening of Thursday, November 14, that was attended by around 200 people.
Liz said that while the anger in the room was palpable, attendees stayed on task to better understand the situation while hearing from the councillors who attended.
“It speaks to the absolute emotional, social and financial investment that this community has in that facility,” Liz said of the community response.
“It was built by money and donations 100 percent from this community, this district, the land was gifted, the money raised came from farmers in this district, and it was built by people here.
“The residents have been so completely disarmed by the lack of consultation in this township.”
When asked where to from here, Liz said that would be discussed at a Merriwa Progress Association meeting this week but they intend to organise meetings with councillors, council staff and work out what their options are.
The news came at the same time Mercy Services told residents and staff at the Mercy Aged Care Facility in Singleton that it would close.
Again, the community came together in a bid to keep the home open with more than 260 people attending a public meeting on November 3.
