Dunsborough's first fully integrated aged care facility was officially opened on October 7, 2021 by Forrest MP Nola Marino.
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.
Capecare Dunsborough features dementia-enabling design, a new headquarters for the Dunsborough branch of the CWA, allied health facilities, landscaped gardens, barbeque, café area and cinema room.
Ms 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," she said.
Ms 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 60th year, with resident John Bresland and acting chief executive Philippa Ayre.
Capecare outgoing chair Nadine Carter said the official opening was a 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," she said.
"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 contribu ted $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."
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.
Capecare has been established for 60 years and is a not-for-profit and independent community organisation, existing to serve the needs of our older people in the Capes Region.
