Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC), Northern Territory, opened the first Flexi overnight respite centre in Ti Tree on 3 July 2019.
The facility will significantly increase the capacity for overnight respite care for residents across the communities of the Central Desert Region.
The facility has two separate wings, one for men and one for women, increasing cultural safety. As well as providing beds and hot meals, transport and a laundry service are available.
Council Chief Executive Officer, Diane Hood, thanked the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services’ National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
She also thanked the councillors and Local Authority of CDRC who, ‘have provided the vision and advocacy for aged and disability services across our council’s footprint’.
“We are proud to be able to officially open the expanded services to the Aboriginal peoples of our Regional Council.”
The facility has started offering respite accommodation one or two nights a week, and aims to increase the service to five nights a week.
The extended hours will require extra people covering all shifts, creating employment in the region.
President Dixon officiated the launch of the Centre and cut the opening ribbon.
After inspecting the centre, the gathered audience shared a barbeque lunch, cooked by the Aged Care staff of CDRC to celebrate the occasion.
