BlueCare to Carry on Vision of Fraser Shores Retirement Villages, Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay property developers David and Anita Torrisi have announced the sale of their Fraser Shores Retirement Villages to leading not-for-profit service provider BlueCare.

The Torrisi’s said BlueCare would be able to deliver on their vision for providing more services on site, to further support residents and the community.

The two Fraser Shores Retirement Villages – Fraser Shores 1 and Fraser Shores 2 – located in Nissen Street in central Hervey Bay, are home to more than 600 people in 427 well-appointed retirement living units.

The villages also offer extensive community facilities, and the significant portion of undeveloped land will be utilised in future to co-locate a range of BlueCare’s services.

Fraser Shores is the result of Mr Torrisi’s vision to develop cane fields along Nissen Street between Boat Harbour Drive and Urraween Road into a retirement and health precinct.

"This has been our life’s work, and we are proud of what we have achieved for the community," Mr Torrisi said.

"From cane fields to this – a beautiful village with everything residents need close by, including a shopping centre and the newly built St Stephens’ Private Hospital – Queensland’s first fully digital hospital owned and operated by UnitingCare Health, a sister organisation to BlueCare.

"With this village, and the one we built in Bundaberg previously, my wife and I feel that we have achieved what we set out to do.

"It is time to hand it over, and we are delighted that BlueCare is purchasing the villages. BlueCare has been a strong supporter of the Hervey Bay community for many years, with a range of residential, retirement and community services. This purchase will let them continue to deliver the best possible care.

"A smooth transition of operations is really important to both parties, and I am pleased to stay on at Fraser Shores and work with BlueCare for several months after they resume operations on 1 July," he said.

BlueCare Executive Director Robyn Batten said the purchase was significant and strategically important for BlueCare as it moves to strengthen its presence throughout regional Queensland.

"BlueCare is committed to providing quality retirement living, residential, and community care services in local and regional communities," Ms Batten said.

"We have more than 40 years’ history of delivering services in Hervey Bay," she said.

"Fraser Shores will help us better service residents and the community through our integrated service model, offering a range of services from the one site.

"Our plan for the future is to consolidate our services in Hervey Bay, and the undeveloped land at Fraser Shores gives us the opportunity to do that, as well as provide additional services on site.

"We plan to build a new residential aged care facility on the vacant land, along with a wellness centre to offer a choice of health, lifestyle and reablement options.

"We hope with the necessary planning approvals to have these new services established in the next few years.

"Minimising the impact on residents and staff during the transition is a priority so we are delighted that David Torrisi is partnering with us in a smooth transition for staff and residents.

"We are offering Fraser Shores’ staff equivalent positions with BlueCare, which will further ease that transition."

BlueCare’s existing services in Hervey Bay includes residential aged care and retirement living, along with a broad range of community and respite care services.

ENDS

About Fraser Shores Retirement Villages:

For more than 30 years, David and Anita Torrisi have been creating retirement communities. After successfully developing Sugarland Gardens Retirement Village in Bundaberg, they turned

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