Four care facilities for Tasmanians seriously injured in road accidents will be rebuilt as part of an $85 million upgrade by the Motor Accidents Insurance Board.
The MAIB Supported Accommodation Renewal Project will deliver modern, purpose-built housing across four sites in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent said the facilities provide round-the-clock care, supported independent living and respite for people affected by serious road trauma.
“At its heart, this project is about providing better environments and better outcomes for Tasmanians living with serious injuries,” Vincent said.
“This investment will help ensure Tasmanians with high and complex needs continue to have 24/7 access to appropriate accommodation and care close to their communities.”
Vincent said the existing facilities are dated and no longer match the level of care now required for people with long-term injuries.
MAIB CEO Paul Kingston said the organisation’s existing sites have 29 client beds, which will increase to 36 under the rebuild.
Additional beds for overnight carers will also be added for the first time, taking the total to about 40 across the state.
Kingston said the primary living units operate almost like a mini hospital, with generators and backup systems for clients who need permanent ventilation.
“We have people who are now living in our facilities that can get the support they need, so their families are absolutely confident they’re looked after well medically and in their home on our sites,” he said.
“But they also get to go out to community events and sporting events, things that are of interest to them.”
Each site will also have about half a dozen independent living units ranging from one to three bedrooms.
Kingston said those units cater for people who are more mobile, including clients transitioning home from hospital while their own houses are modified.
He said the new rooms will be larger, with bedroom, lounge and living space, replacing the current small rooms and large communal areas.
Kingston said demand for the accommodation is high, with two-thirds to three-quarters of current capacity filled by MAIB clients.
“There is very little high care needs supported accommodation in Tasmania, so this will be beneficial to the broader Tasmanian community,” he said.
Spare capacity will be opened to non-MAIB clients where available, with the project modelled to meet MAIB demand for 20 to 25 years.
Clients, families, staff and professional service providers all helped shape the design.
Care on site is provided by Amicare, which MAIB has partnered with for more than 25 years.
Construction company Shape has been brought on as the building partner, with 13 to 14 staff working across the state.
Kingston said the four sites will be staged, with clients moved off site slowly and carefully between builds.
Construction is set to begin in late September and wrap up by mid-2029.
