Securing the future of Lerwin Residential Care
The Rural City of Murray Bridge has reached an agreement with specialist aged care provider, Roshana Care, for the sale of Lerwin Residential Care.
Council has taken this step to secure Lerwin’s long-term future as a residential aged care facility.
The benefits of the sale will be shared with the community by not only transferring Council’s liabilities to Roshana Care but re-investing the balance of the sale proceeds and operational cost savings back into our community.
For Lerwin residents and their families, this in no way changes the level of care and services they currently receive at Lerwin Residential Care, nor the costs associated with their care.
For our great team at Lerwin, all staff will be offered employment contracts with Roshana Care with their jobs, wages and leave entitlements protected.
All this means that the same familiar faces can continue to offer residents the same high level of care and support currently received.
This decision wasn’t taken lightly. The reality is that Council is not structured as a specialist aged care provider and it is no longer sustainable to continue owning and operating a standalone residential aged care facility.
With ongoing legislative changes and reform, the aged care sector has become increasingly complex. Under the leadership of a strong, specialist aged care provider like Roshana, Lerwin will continue to thrive in that environment
Roshana Care is a well-respected, nationally recognised provider with extensive expertise in delivering high-quality aged care across Australia and in regional communities. They have a strong track record of looking after their residents, staff and assets, and have indicated they will bring new elements to Lerwin including mental health expertise and other additional services.
Council members have reflected on and recognised that we must honour the vision of community members who built the facility more than 40 years ago, ensuring it continues to serve residents well into the future.
Roshana Care’s scale, expertise and community focus has given us the confidence that Lerwin will operate efficiently, while remaining affordable and maintaining high-quality care and a supportive staff culture.
To ensure continuity of care to our residents, in particular over the Christmas and New Year period, Council will continue operating Lerwin during a transition period until settlement with Roshana Care early in the New Year.
As always, our priority remains the continued care of our residents and their families, and our dedicated employees and volunteers.
Council wants to ensure that Lerwin is sustainable for the future and continues to provide quality care for its residents. The reality is that Council is not structured as a specialist aged care provider and operating residential aged care facilities is no longer sustainable for anyone other than specialist providers.
Council completely understands Lerwin has been a treasured community asset for more than 40 years and that is why we want to ensure it continues to provide care to our community.
Council has reflected on and recognised that it should continue to honour the vision of community members who built the facility more than 40 years ago, ensuring it continues to serve residents well into the future. Roshana’s scale, expertise, and community focus mean that Lerwin will operate efficiently while remaining affordable and maintaining high-quality care and a supportive staff culture.
We expect the formal transition of ownership and operations to occur in late January 2026.
Within the contract Council has protected employee jobs and wages, maintained affordability for residents and ensured local suppliers will be retained. Council is protecting Lerwin’s legacy of being an accessible facility that considers anyone in the local community seeking an aged care place.
Residents and their families are also being provided assurances around maintaining affordability and continuity of quality care, thereby protecting Lerwin’s legacy of being an accessible facility that considers anyone in the local community seeking an aged care place.
We hope that all current employees choose to continue working at Lerwin. A key condition of the sale is that all staff will be given the opportunity to transfer their employment to Roshana Care. There will be no job losses, and all wages and leave entitlements will be protected.
Roshana has provided assurances that there will be no change to suppliers and contractors and that they’re keen to provide a continuity of service across the business to ensure a smooth transition.
Yes, Roshana Care recognises the vital role volunteers play in creating connection with residents. All existing volunteers will be encouraged to continue volunteering.
Council will continue to operate tailored aged care services such as through the Commonwealth Home Support Program in support of independent living.
Council put the service review on-hold after receiving the direct and confidential approach by Roshana Care.
Council gave a lot of thought to whether it should consult the community before making this decision. In this case Council received a direct and confidential approach, so it wasn’t something it could take out for consultation without breaching that confidentiality and risking negotiations. What Council did was make sure the decision was backed by solid information and independent expert advice to ensure the best outcome for the community. That gave Council confidence that Roshana has an excellent track record in aged care, and that this was a strong offer and the right decision for the community. Now the decisions been made, Council’s focus is on being open about why and making sure people understand the benefits behind it.
Benefits from the sale of Lerwin Residential Care will see money re-invested into our community. Council will talk with the community at the right time about how this money can best be used.