With Feros announcing it will redevelop its aged care facility in Byron Bay, the management board, through a public relations manager, have declined to provide The Echo with evidence that the aged care home does not ‘meet the current government standards as a residential care facility’.
The Echo sought confirmation of claims by the Feros board that the facility ‘cannot be upgraded to meet the current government standards as a residential care facility and has to close’.
The Echo asked, ‘Is there a report, or government document, that supports this claim?’.
The board replied, ‘There are many factors that make it impossible for Feros Care Byron Bay to remain open in its current form. This is because the home now needs to meet the more stringent requirements of nursing home standards’.
It comes as elderly residents, some of whom had just secured a spot in the facility, met on Sunday to discuss their eviction. All the residents (around 40) have been offered a home in similar Feros facilities in Kingscliff and Bangalow.
In a statement, the Feros board said so far, ‘more than 50 per cent of the residents have chosen where they would like to go for their next home. Feros Care is supporting the residents in their preferences and moves in a caring and respectful manner’.
Intergenerational community
With the Crown-managed land slated to house an ‘intergenerational community’, The Echo asked the Feros board, ‘Presumably those without any relatives wouldn’t have a place in such a facility? Is this why the board will not commit to allowing the residents to return there? Is there another reason why the board won’t offer to relocate them back?’
The board replied, ‘Our current residents in Byron Bay will be given preference to move into the new development, if it is appropriate for them, and their individual care needs. They will not be required to have a relative living in the facility’.
‘This entire process will take some time, as it moves through community consultation, design and development application stages’.
‘Feros Care will consult with the community on any future plans for our region’s seniors on the site. Our priority right now is to support our residents to move into their new homes’.
‘Any new development on the site will be designed with aged care foremost in mindand in consultation with the community to arrive at the best possible outcome.
‘In the near future Feros Care will invite the community to collaborate in re-imagining a better future for our region’s seniors in Byron Bay’.
Packed Marvell Hall
On Sunday, Friends and Families of Feros Residents (FFFR) held a rally at Marvell Hall in Byron Bay. It was hard to tell how many people fronted up, because the room was bursting at the seams, and spilling out of every doorway onto the street.
Organised and MC’d by Mandy Nolan, and daughter of a resident, Maree Eddings, those gathered made sure their numbers were counted.
Delta Kay said that, like many locals, she had run up to old George Feros with his wild grey hair with his collection box and put in coins.
‘I’m here to ensure that our residents get a home, a home so they’re safe, secure, and they’re happy. Is that right?’
Nolan said that a legacy is being destroyed, while local MP, Tamara Smith, said we need to reclaim George Feros’ good name.
‘This is definitely not George Feros’ shame.
‘This is the shame of the corporation.
‘This is a community asset. This is Crown land, this is our land, this is public land.
‘The infrastructure came from money from our community.
Booted out: MP
‘So on what planet do our residents, in that vision, just get told – sorry, you’re booted out? It’s just bonkers. It’s completely bonkers.’
Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said he was feeling quite uncertain.
‘In terms of a Council point of view – we don’t have any legal role here, or any decision making role, as far as I can tell. But there is certainly a role, and for me that role is to ensure that we get proper communication, and proper consultation, and proper understanding, before a decision like this, which is going to affect so many people and be so heart rending, gets started’.
Feros resident ninety-five-year-old Kate Smorty thanked everyone for turning up. ‘It’s very reassuring and heartening.’
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