Fitzgerald Aged Care, a long-standing not-for-profit provider in the Hawkesbury, says its future is under threat after being deemed ineligible for Federal capital grants under current government funding rules.

Despite having a development application and construction certificate already approved for a critical 24-room expansion, Fitzgerald cannot begin the project because the Commonwealth classifies it as being located in a metropolitan city. The organisation says this definition is inaccurate and unfairly penalises peri-urban communities like the Hawkesbury.

“This is clearly wrong and lacks an appreciation of the reality of peri-urban region such as ours,” a Fitzgerald Aged Care Chairperson Rhonda Hawkins AM said. “There is no doubt that it is inherently unfair to areas such as the Hawkesbury. This must change.”

The region, which had a population of just over 68,000 in 2023 spread across more than 2,700 square kilometres, has a population density of 24.55 people per square kilometre - vastly different to the 8,660 people per square kilometre found in the City of Sydney.

“Clearly, the Hawkesbury is not a typical urban region, yet it is excluded from many government funding programs which would address critical needs for services and community development,” Hawkins said. “It makes no sense that the Hawkesbury is considered to be the same as metropolitan Sydney.”

The classification falls under the Modified Monash Model, a system introduced by the former Coalition government that is still used to determine eligibility for a range of rural and regional health and aged care grants. As it stands, the model prevents Fitzgerald from applying for Federal funding necessary to expand and modernise its services.

“Unless there is a change in the way in which the Hawkesbury is classified in funding models by governments, many current services will either fail or substantially reduce their services,” Hawkins said. 

Local MP Susan Templeman, a former Fitzgerald board member, recently visited the site with election candidate Mike Creed. According to Hawkins, Templeman committed to continue advocating for two key changes: new capital funding for aged care in peri-urban areas like the Hawkesbury, and reform of the Modified Monash Model. She added that, “Mike Creed gave us a good hearing.”

Fitzgerald Aged Care, which traces its roots back to 1818, currently holds a four-star rating and reports consistently strong satisfaction from residents and families. But Hawkins said that without growth, its future remains uncertain.

“Due to its size and location, Fitzgerald must grow to survive. Even with increased operational funding under the new model, unless Fitzgerald is funded to grow, it runs the very real risk of having to close.”

Hawkins describes the proposed extension as vital, not only to its own survival but to the broader community.

“The Hawkesbury matters – it is not just a pale shadow of metropolitan Sydney. Fitzgerald is the embodiment of all that is good in the Hawkesbury and it is vital that the development is funded to proceed now,” Hawkins said.