Mackay Regional Council is offering a 100% discount on its infrastructure charges to the QLD-based provider to secure a 120-bed aged care home for Lagoons Estate in West Mackay.

It is a first for the Council, but requires the development to start within a specific time frame under its Facilitating Development fund.

Beginning from April next year or on receiving the development application, Ozcare must begin construction within 12 months. A 75% reduction will be given if development starts within 18 months, and 50% if it’s started within two years.

Economic development and planning committee chair Cr Amanda Camm said the decision had been made as the city was competing with the Fraser Coast and Toowoomba to have their facilities built first. “We're trying to incentivise them with this discount to put the shovel in the ground within the next 12 months,” Cr Camm said.

According to a council report, the new home will boost the local economy by about $64.5M, including $30M for its development, and create 165 jobs.

The Council is also considering a $60,000 concession for an expansion of Wongabeena Aged Housing in Sarina, and about $3.2M in development concessions for an aged care facility, shopping centre and motel planned by local developer Charlie Camilleri.

Ozcare, a branch of St Vincent de Paul Society, has 11 facilities across QLD with nearly 3,000 staff.

Image: Ozcare’s Villa Vincent nursing home in Townsville.