NEWMAN PLANS FOR FRAIL AGED HOSTEL

East Pilbara Shire president Anthony Middleton

GEOFF VIVIAN

Plans are afoot to build an old people’s home in Newman. 

East Pilbara Shire President Anthony Middleton said it was great news for the town.

“It’s about keeping people in the east Pilbara rather than sending them out,” he said.

“I think the closest old person’s home is in Hedland but that’s no good for the Indigenous population.

“This is their country so why not have the facility in Newman itself so they don’t have to leave?”

When it met this week Council gave “in principle” support to East Pilbara Independence Support and Puntukurma Aboriginal Medical Service’s request to place a residential aged care and dialysis facility on Crown Land at Les Tutt Drive.