Community votes to keep Proserpine Nursing Home out of Respect Aged Care takeover

More than 150 voters from the Proserpine Nursing Home Association gathered on Monday to decide on a transfer of ownership to Respect Aged Care, a Tasmanian not-for-profit that has recently acquired several Queensland homes. About 70 % voted no, keeping the 100-bed facility a community-owned charity founded in the 1980s on donated land. Former staff and volunteers such as Allana Van Niekerk and Cheryl Raiteri celebrated the result, warning that outside control could alter care quality and local culture.

Management chair Marie Dickens had argued the deal would help address rising costs, staffing shortages and tighter regulations, but concerns grew as the number of aged-care providers fell sharply nationwide. After the vote, committee member Konrad Kangru said he would step down, citing the demanding new compliance standards. Respect Aged Care chief Jason Binder said he would support the community’s decision and wished the home success.