Southern Downs locals were buoyed by the December announcement that the Churches of Christ Residential Aged Care facility in Stanthorpe, better known as Carramar, will continue to run without a change of ownership.
A spokesperson for the facility confirmed that while there was a September 2024 announcement to "staff, residents and resident representatives" of their intention to sell, by end-of-year, this decision was overturned.
"The decision to retain the service in Stanthorpe, as communicated ... via email, in person and an online meeting, as a priority to all staff, residents, resident representatives and government officials, was made due to a number of factors," the spokesperson said.
"Over the past months, we have welcomed new board members and a refreshed management team who have continued to conduct a thorough review of all services. As part of this review, it was identified that the Churches of Christ Aged Residential Aged Care services at Stanthorpe should be retained."
The facility will remain as is because "of an increase in government funding, with bipartisan support, to the aged care sector in October 2024," outcomes reinforcing the selling of the site was "no longer necessary".
Asked of other future plans, the spokesperson facility's worth is understood and they are "very pleased to remain" part of the Stanthorpe community.
"Our plan is not only to retain operations, but to strengthen our local connections," the spokesperson further said, with plans for a "community consultation" in March this year.
"At this consultation, we will seek input from residents and community groups to help map out how the broader communities can be involved in connecting with this service in a co-ordinated and more meaningful way."
